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RE: Fasting ? - 7/30/2008 2:58:25 PM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1120
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
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ORIGINAL: Little_1
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ORIGINAL: Forgiven
...... As Christians, fasting is not something that we do to get close to God, fasting is the result of who we are.
Have you ever been so caught up in something that you completely lost track of time and were even oblivious to the fact that you had not eaten? That is fasting......
Forgiven - what you describe above is what I would call the 'Anna Fast' (please see No 13 of 14 different Biblical fasts post #3). Anna was so devoted in serving, worshipping and seeking the Lord's glory that she lost all sense of time and self (beautiful). Names such as the 'Anna Fast' are purely descriptions given to help differentiate between the different types of fasts. The Bible is clear that there are different types of fasts and not just the Anna Fast however.
The Lord Jesus Himself said that: "When you fast......" which indicates that fasting can also include something we are called to do or something we choose to do for whatever just reason (but not merely for the sake of it)! Why do I believe this? I believe this because Jesus then goes on to give a list of things we should and should not do when fasting (which He would not have done if fasting was primarily an area of worship which we would be caught up in oblivious of time and surroundings) e.g.
Matthew 6: 16-18
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
So we can conclude from this that Jesus does not want us to make it obvious to others around us that we are fasting and we are not to boast or make a show about it. It is between the individual(s) and God. All fasts will primarily focus on God: seeking God's Kingdom come and His will be done, and ultimately that God will be glorified. All other needs will be secondary, e.g. to loose the chains of injustice, to seek deliverance for the demon possessed, etc.
The Anna Fast is particularly beautiful however I have to say.
I understand what you are saying. I still see nothing in the new covenant about us doing anything ourselves that brings us closer to Him. He lives in us, those are not just nice sounding words, they are a very real reality. When Jesus spoke those things He was a Jew, living under the law, speaking to other Jews who lived under the law. We live in a different age now...the dispensation of grace, if you will.
That being said, I am well aware that many find something of value in deliberate fasting, and I would certainly not desire to make myself a stumbling block to them.
Peace
Fasting is not God's intention to bring us closer to Him neither in the Old Covenant or the New Covenant. However, I'm not quite so sure about not doing anything to bring us closer to God:
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you......
The above text speaks about prayer which is something that we are required to do to walk in close communion/relationship with God.
quote:
I am in the middle of my first ever fast. I did it desiring to grow closer to God but I am feeling farther away from his presence than I have in a long long time. Any thoughts?
The OP was in regards to growing closer to God by fasting, as were the thoughts I have posted.
In regards to drawing near to God, that is our privilege under grace, with full assurance of faith in Jesus Christ. It is because of what He has done for us that we are able to draw near to God, it is not because of anything we do. (Hebrews).
Likewise, prayer is not something we are required to do as new creations in Christ, it is our privilege; we have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
Peace
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"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Fasting ? - 7/30/2008 3:48:22 PM
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truthrevealed
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I once believed that fasting would somehow 'cause' God to do something He might not otherwise. Of course now, I certainly agree that fasting is not (and should not be)a tool to get God to do something. However, I do believe that such time may help reveal God's will in certain matters. It's an incredible way to seek God---for direction, wisdom etc.
Also, I can see how fasting can draw us "closer to God" in this way, without realizing it, many people *RELY* on food and eat for comfort, entertainment etc. (Some people spend the day meditating on what they're going to eat after they've just eaten a meal... BTDT). This can be stated for ANYTHING though.....working, sex, spending time on the computer, talking on the phone, etc. Fasting, then, causes/forces/allows you to rely on God's strength and comfort to help you with the stressess of the day, a particular trial you're facing etc. instead of our normal "creature comforts." Our focus is on Him, so what we need must then come from Him, during these times of fasting(thus "drawing us closer").
It's also amazing how fasting a certain thing(not just food)can reveal how much freedom we really have in an area that we wouldn't otherwise think. A few years ago my pastor challenged the congregation to fast SOMETHING for 30 days(he included masturbation  ). It's amazing when you realize that SOME things don't have the "power" over you that you think once you fast!
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RE: Fasting ? - 7/31/2008 1:37:23 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 1482
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
......In regards to drawing near to God, that is our privilege under grace, with full assurance of faith in Jesus Christ. It is because of what He has done for us that we are able to draw near to God, it is not because of anything we do. (Hebrews).
Likewise, prayer is not something we are required to do as new creations in Christ, it is our privilege; we have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
Peace
I certainly agree - drawing near to God in prayer is something the redeemed are able to do because of what Jesus did for us. It is indeed a great privilege. I wasn't thinking about it like that. You have explained this very beautifully. Thank you.
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RE: Fasting ? - 8/1/2008 12:47:13 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 1482
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quote:
Jentezen Franklin
The first thing Jesus felt for us in His earthly ministry was hunger (see Matthew 4). The last thing that He felt on this earth was thirst as the Lord of glory hung dying on the cruel cross (see John 19:2).
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RE: Fasting ? - 8/17/2008 1:30:27 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 1482
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Just come across another type of Biblical fast:
The Sexual Fast - 1 Corinthians 7:3-6 says, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
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