Think about it:

You go eat because you are hungry. The flesh

controls this area of your life.

Memory Verse- Joel 2:12 “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart,

and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning”

Your Thoughts When you are hungry what do you do? You

eat of course! You will grab a snack or a full meal. This is a normal occurrence in our daily lives. Nothing out of the ordinary. Now if I told you not to eat when you were hungry you would look at me like I was crazy. The longer you go without food makes you even hungrier. There eventually comes a point when you will probably get “Hangry” or very angry because of your hunger pains. Yes, food is a necessity to live but notice the control it has on us. We center our daily lives around food and meals. This is all to feed our flesh. Notice how strong a control our flesh has on us. Fasting is not something we hear much about in teaching, preaching, or in practice. Why? It denies our flesh of something we like and want...food! Fasting is abstaining from food beyond the usual time. It is abstaining from food voluntarily for mortification of the body and appetites. Lets see what Jesus has to say about fasting in our lives. Read Matthew 6:16-18

9Jesus on Fasting

THE BIBLE WAY TO HEAVEN

Realize That God Loves You. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

The Bible Says That All Men Are Sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory to God.” (Romans 3:23).

God’s Word Also Says That Sin Must Be Paid For. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The Good News Is That Christ Paid for Our Sins. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

We Must Personally Pray and Receive Christ by Faith as Our Personal Saviour. The Bible Says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

Online at cfccampusministry.com Copyright © 2019

Your Thoughts

Think about it:

We would like to think that we have control over the flesh but it really controls us.

Think About it:

Fasting aids us in getting our hearts

completely fixed on God.

What purpose does fasting serve? Read Galatians 5:17. The flesh and spirit are in a fight against each other. The flesh controls us way more than we would ever like to admit! The flesh dictates when we are hungry, tired, sore, have a headache, do not feel like reading or praying. Caffeine and sugar are simple things that if we normally intake can make our bodies feel awful if we go without. This is called control. Nicotine, drugs, and alcohol all feed the appetites of the flesh. Fasting deprives the flesh of a simple thing it craves, food. It gives you power over the flesh that usually controls you. Read Galatians 5:24. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are

all appetites of our flesh. Fasting cuts and burns our proud flesh. Our power over the flesh helps to turn us from fleshly things to spiritual matters. Read Romans 13:14 and Isaiah 58:3-7. Fasting helps us to live out and fulfill the teachings of Jesus.

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus gives instructions on the correct and incorrect way of fasting assuming His disciples will be practicing it. He says twice, “When ye fast.” Read Matthew 9:14-15. Jesus is questioned concerning why His disciples are not fasting. He says they will fast once He is gone. We should practice fasting regularly if we truly understand its purpose. Paul said in II Corinthians 11:27 that he fasted often. Practice it weekly or bi-weekly. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Plan and be intentional about it. Read the biblical examples of when to fast on the insert.

What it Means to Walk in Christ’s Footsteps Lesson 9

Fasting has a power in spiritual matters. Read Joel 2:12. It aids us in getting our hearts completely fixed on God. Read the insert for examples of the power fasting gave in other’s lives. Read Mark 6:6-13. Here Jesus’s disciples have gone out preaching and healing. They have been very successful. Now read Mark 9:14-29. They are trying all their same methods and programs. They were confident it would work because it worked before but they are unable to heal this boy. They get alone with Jesus to ask what the problem is. Notice His response, “This kind can come for by nothing but by prayer and fasting” Satan has an hierarchy of cohorts in Ephesians 6:12. It would take more than the normal prayer in this situation. It would take the power of fasting added to prayer to heal this boy. This boy represents America today. We need the extra power to make an impact in our country today. Jesus is calling you and I to crucify the flesh through fasting and exhibit a power that can make a significant impact.

Your Thoughts

POWER IN FASTING

WHY WE SHOULD FAST

Being a Doer of the Word

WHEN TO FAST

In order to fast, withhold food or drink for specific period of time. It can be a partial fast, just some food or drink, or an entire fast complete with both food and drink. Jesus teaches not to fast just so people will know you are fasting. It is all about your motive. It should be for God and not man. Does this mean we cannot fast with others or as a church? No, we see examples in the Bible of people, churches, and nations fasting together. Lengths of time for fasting given in the Bible are part of a day, an entire day, long into the night, three, seven, fourteen, and forty days. It is combined with prayer many times. Fasting can be done while working or going to class. Just focus that time mentally and spiritually on God

HOW TO FAST

Biblical Examples of Times to Fast

•When you desire to gain control over the flesh.- I Corinthians 9:27 •When seeking the Lord.- Daniel 9:3-6, Joel 2:12 •During confession of sin.- I Samuel. 7:6; Jonah 3:1-10 •When broken hearted or mourning.- Nehemiah 1:4, II Samuel 1:12 •Seeking guidance or wisdom.- Ezra 8:21-23, Judges 20:26-28 •For someone sick.- II Samuel 12:16-23 •In helpless situations. When the odds are against- Esther 4:3-16 •To humble your soul.- Psalm 35:13 •To chasten your soul.- Psalm 69:10 •When establishing leaders.- Acts 14:23

Biblical Examples of the Power of Fasting

•Nehemiah completed the walls of Jerusalem & had national revival. •Nehemiah 1-8

•Daniel received the wisdom he requested in a needed time. •Daniel 9-10

•Esther and the nation of Israel were spared from annihilation. •Esther 4-5

•The entire nation of Nineveh was spared from destruction. •Jonah 3:1-10

•The church missions program was launched after fasting. •Acts 13:1-3

•Paul fasted often. •II Corinthians 11:27

•226 mariners were saved after a shipwreck through 14 days of fasting. •Acts 27

•Isaiah says to fast to get heavy burdens loosed. •Isaiah 58:3-7

•God revealed to Peter to go to the Gentiles after Cornelius fasted. •Acts 10:25-48

Notes ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________