Fasting 101 – January 5, 2025
Pastor Jeremy Mayol
Joel 2:12-13 (CSB)
12 Even now — this is the Lord’s declaration — turn to me with all your heart, wit fasting, weeping, and mourning.13 Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.
What Fasting is Not:
1. Fasting is not a weight loss program.
Daniel 10:1-3 (CSB)
1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3 I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put a oil on my body until the three weeks were over.
2. Fasting is not an advertisement.
Matthew 6:16-18 (CSB)
16 Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
How Fasting Tunes Your Heart:
1. Fasting Tunes Your Humility.
Psalm 35:13 (CSB)
13 I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine.
2. Fasting Tunes Your Desires.
Ezra 8:23 (CSB)
23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.
Psalm 37:4 (CSB)
4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires
3. Fasting Tunes Your Priorities.
Psalm 51:10 (CSB)
10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Types of Fast:
- Fast from Food
- Fast from Social Media
- Fast from Television and Streaming
- Fast from Sugar and Processed Foods
- Fast from Shopping
- Fast from Caffeine
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