7:14 If My People Humble Themselves (Fasting)
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
As Christians, we have rights that come with His name, but then there are also rewards that are separately achieved. Some things in God, we have to CLAIM to – other things are CONDITIONAL. Some manifestations of God we are ENTITLED to, others are EARNED. God has determined that certain expressions of His power will only be exercised through fasting and prayer.
Absolute Fast: You take in nothing- no food, no water. Depending on your health, this fast should be attempted only with medical consultation and supervision.
Normal Fast: Typically go without food of any kind for a certain number of days. You drink plenty of water! Depending on the length of the normal fast you may also choose to take clear broth and juices in order to maintain strength.
Partial Fast: A partial fast usually involves giving up particular foods and drink for an extended period of time. (most common example is Daniel’s fast where he refused to eat choice meats and sweets from the King’s table, asking instead to only eat vegetables and water.) NO MEAT, NO BREAD, NO DESSERT
Matthew 6:16-18 NIV 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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.
1. Participation “When you fast…” (v. 16) What’s another aspect of fasting that seemed important to Jesus?
2. Motivation Matthew 6:16 NIV 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:18 NIV 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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.
Why you do what you do is often times more important than what you do! What’s another aspect of fasting that seemed important to Jesus?
3. Expectation Matthew 6:18 NIV 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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.
My Beginning. My Forever. 