Jesus Never Meant it for Weight Loss

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:19-21 (NASB)

 

Has it gotten tough yet?

Are you ready to throw in the towel?

Maybe it’s’ as simple as turning off the TV to avoid too many tempting pizza commercials.

You see, God has called His Place to a 21 day fast.

This week we are seeking an encounter with Him.

Fasting is something Jesus taught for His followers when their prayers sometimes seem to be hindered, as we read above.

Fasting was something Jesus did.

His command to His disciples of “…when you fast…” was not a

do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do

edict but instead a recognition of the need for fasting in a believers life.

Jesus never said “if” you fast but rather “when” you fast.  

We have been talking of late about what to do when prayer goes unanswered.

We stand in faith; we pray with others and we sometimes fast!

Fasting can be trendy and popular for reasons other than prayer.

But we are not responding to a health or pop cultural fad but a call from God.

Make no mistake, though, fasting will test your flesh.

Will your flesh rule or will the Spirit of God be given the priority.

Fasting is a time to honor God by bringing the flesh under subjection.  

It is a time when we more earnestly and intently seek God and His direction.

Fasting is not so much to move the hand of God as it is to incline the ear of man to hear God.

Listen, because that answer you sought may be forthcoming, as you fast.