Category: Fasting

Fasting.

FOR THOUGHT:

What if involuntarily our food was taken away? What if like a child, the things that we abused, God took them away from us?

Would that show any self control or will power, what lesson would that teach us? Not much would it?

But what if like a good parent, that instead of taking everything away that led us astray, we took the time to teach self control, self-discipline and initiative.

What if we were taught to know when to say when and the understanding of the meaning of moderation? Wouldn’t that be better?

Likewise, what if God didn’t take away every desire we had that caused us to SIN?

What if the things that plagued our weaknesses daily were a TEST of our self control?, of our faith?

For where there is much weakness, there is much grace. Could this be what the apostle Paul meant in II Corinthians?

Could it be that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness?

For when we are weak in ourselves, we are strong in the Spirit.

For where is the glory if the things that are so tempting were taken away?

But how glorious it would be to God that in the midst of good and evil, we can still choose good!

This is the lesson of fasting as well as the lesson of our existence.

Fasting was never how the world or the denominations has taught us, it is surely something supernatural, it is a reflection of what was and what is to come.

It what was lost in Eden, a body that relied on the Word and not the world.

MY PRAYER:

My Lord, I fast because I live in a generation that abuses food. I fast because I live in a world where I have a greater chance of dying from obesity than malnutrition.

I fast because although I have chose many times to feed my body, today I desire to feed my soul. I fast because the food of this earth is Satan’s tool in holding captive my 5 senses, but most of all, the God given senses that this world has forgotton.

Finally my Lord, I fast in your honor. For as you fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, being hungry, you told Satan, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”.

So I ask you to help me understand this scripture, for there was a time in Eden, where the only food that this body needed was your fellowship. So as I begin to wage war against my own body through this fasting, I ask you to help me fast in secret according to your Word, for the only one that needs to know, knows already.

In the name of Jesus Christ, your brother in our war against sin.

Amen.

Ray Evangelista.

#1313

Brotherly love. 

Hopefully this personal text message will remind us of the power of fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ. 

A: Hey fellas…I’m thinking about terminating my fast. As I sit back check the fruit…What’s being produced is more negative than positive. What do you think?

B: We will always be persecuted for bringing what is written to life.

But it is NOT the love it produces around us that matters BUT the love that it produces in our hearts to forgive others on what is happening around us that matters.

Evil will always be around us and we will always walk thru this valley, however we fear no evil for He is with us.

“Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort us.”

That is in reference to the Holy Spirit brother. 

There is no failure in grace.  

But if we have to live by the labels of good and evil then failure is best defined as simply not trying brother.

We all have suffered for what we have done wrong. So wouldn’t it be honorable to suffer for what is good? 

Remain in your fast brother. Finish the race. 

Finish your mission soldier.

C: I’ve got compassion for you bro and have definitely had my share of trials fasting these last few years. Lead your heart, don’t think there’s a wrong answer here.

I say this knowing the enemy has been attacking my wife as well as myself, but if you have the inclination to continue I’ll offer this encouragement.

My harvest and fruit has been slow growing, which is hard to endure if I compare to others. But God has been kind to show me the sweetest fruit growing with patience… His time isn’t always in line with our expectations or seasons.

A: Amen. I needed all of that.

B: Remember this valley of the shadow of death is simply a bluff and deception. For it is not death, but only a shadow of it.  

Let us stay the course and walk thru it together.  

Walk by faith and not by sight.

I have found Psalm 23 to be wise to be read daily on fasting. 

Let us pray, 

King James Bible
The Lord is My Shepherd

{A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen. 

A: Amen. 

B: 1 Peter 2 NIV

“19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

Because of all the love Jesus had internally, He was able to endure all the hardships and pain externally. And this is the example that we should follow in His steps.

Truly our “hearts” require spiritual conditioning so we may endure this type of unforgiving terrain.  

1 Peter 3:17 NIV

“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

D: The valley of the “shadow”. Man that’s fire right there. It’s not even death it’s just a pump fake. Absolutely nothing to fear. I’m stealing that one brother.

B: Can’t steal what was givin freely brother. Lol

This is the reason why King David speaks of this valley as simply a “shadow of death”.

And if anyone knows death, it would be David. 

Revelation 1:18 NIV

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

You see, Satan does not even hold the key to his own home!  

C: Yeah, “he’s homeless! 😂

D: Lol!!! Perfect parallel!!  

SUMMARY:

Everything is a spiritual battle.  However it is very easy to lose sight of this.  Reminders are a key element in our daily lives as Christians.  When something loses it’s value, it is simply forgotton.

So let us not forget the power of fellowship at any level whether it is in person or via a simple text message because the only thing that separates us from meeting anywhere is faith.