Fasting for Spiritual Growth

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Fasting for Spiritual Growth
"The Greatest Sermon in History" Part 15
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit
Philippians 23 (NIV)
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Jesus did not say that your fast is invalid if
others find out. Hes talking about your motive
for fasting Dont fast so that others will know.
Do what you can to keep it between the two of
you. But if others find out, your heart motive is
not any less pure. Jim Luthy
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What Is Fasting?
Fasting is going without something, typically
food, for a specified time in order to devote
oneself more fully to God.
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The dieter says Sweets are bad I cannot have
them ever. The faster says Sweets are good
(but) I will not take them now. Father Robert
Farrar Capon
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Right fasting is meant to give up something
food, media, relationships, others for the sake
of something better. Daniel Villa
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I believe the power of fasting as it relates to
prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord
has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil
and usher in a great revival and spiritual
harvest around the world. Bill Bright
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Fasting is the most powerful spiritual
discipline of all the Christian disciplines.
Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can
transform your life. Bill Bright
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting is a Biblical and Time-Tested Spiritual
Practice
1.
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One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to
Jesus and asked him, Why do we and the Pharisees
fast, but your disciples dont fast?
Matthew 914 (NLT)
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Should the wedding guests mourn while
celebrating with the groom? Someday he will be
taken from them, and then they will fast.
Matthew 915 (NLT)
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And when you fast, dont make it obvious, as the
hypocrites do, who try to look pale and
disheveled so people will admire them for their
fasting.
Matthew 616 (NLT)
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Fasting has a long spiritual pedigree, not as a
lifeless tradition, but as a life-breathing
spiritual discipline. Robert G. Johnson, Jr.
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting Helps Us Keep Balance in our Lives
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You may say, I am allowed to do anything. But I
reply, Not everything is good for you. And even
though I am allowed to do anything, I must not
become a slave to anything.
1 Corinthians 612 (NLT)
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We give up food to feast on God. We fast from
our physical desires in order to satisfy our
cravings for God. Daniel Villa
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting Prepares Us to Hear from God
3.
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting adds Passion to your Prayer
4.
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting expresses repentance and brings renewal
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I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with
fasting.
Psalm 35.13 (NIV)
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I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble
ourselves before our God.
Ezra 8.21 (NLT)
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Then if my people who are called by my name will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their
land.
2 Chronicles 7.14 (NLT)
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Fasting combined with prayer opens the flood
gates to spiritual renewal, vitality, and the
ability to live the Christian lifestyle. Dr.
Bryan Fink
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Is not the neglect of this plain duty one
general occasion of deadness among Christians?
Can any one willingly neglect it, and be
guiltless? John Wesley
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Why Should I Fast?
Fasting Leads to Maturity and Effectiveness
6.
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What Kinds of Fasting Are There?
WATER-ONLY FAST
ABSOLUTE FAST
PARTIAL FAST
JUICE FAST
SUNDOWN FAST
IDOLS FAST
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When Should I Fast?
When You Need a Spiritual Breakthrough
A
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When Should I Fast?
When You are Facing a Challenge
B
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When Should I Fast?
When a Social Need Arises
C
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When Should I Fast?
When You Need to Express Deep Repentance
D
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How Do I Fast?
First, determine your purpose for fasting
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How Do I Fast?
Secondly, determine the type and length of the
fast
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How Do I Fast?
Third, use your times of fasting to be with God
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Fasting for Spiritual Growth
"The Greatest Sermon in History" Part 15