God is a God of moments and seasons.
Resolutions typically depend on us, where seasons and moments depend on God and our ability to recognize the season.
Our ability to recognize the season and the moment has everything to do with us being Fruitful in the season God has for us.
Galatians 4:4 ESV-
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
Ecclesiastics- for Everything there is a season.
Psalm 1:1-3 ESV
Blessed is the man[a] who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the LORD,
*and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.*
Not every season needs to be a Thriving Season, but in every season we are called to bear fruit for that season.
When we pursue it God’s Way, we get God’s Reward.
There is strategy God has laid up for His people to see breakthrough, victory and direction.
1 Sam17:38-40 ESV
38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.
The strategy for David came from His moments of seeking the lord, waiting on Him and be faithful to do what God had called Him to do.
Myths around Fasting-.
a. Fasting is not a diet.
b. Fasting is Not an activist Demonstration.
c. Fasting doesn’t prove our devotion to God.
d. Fasting is not reserved for the elite.
Isaiah 58:6-9 ESV
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed[b] go free, and to break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am. If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness.
Fasting has more to do with wisdom, freedom, and clarity than it does with self-sacrifice, performance and spiritual status.
- *Fasting Releases Wisdom and Direction to our Lives. *
Acts 13:2-3 ESV
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
- *Fasting creates space for more of God. *
The Goal is intimacy, connection, and relationship.
Phil 3:10 ESV
*10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. *
John 3:30
*“I must decrease so He can increase.” *
When we magnify God, it doesn’t make Him bigger, but makes Him clearer.
James 4:8 esv
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
*3. Fasting enables us to lead from Faith, not from Flesh. *
Fleshly appetites weren’t designed to dictate our spiritual life.
Ezekiel 16:49
*49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. *
- *Fasting Breaks off Demonic Influence. *
Ephesians 6:12NKJV
*For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. *
Not live in fear of the enemy but faith over the enemy.
*Practical Steps to Fasting. *
a. Things to fast.
i. Food.
ii. Coffee.
iii.Media Fast.
iv. Entertainment Fast.
v. Anything that is distracting you from God.
b. Types of Biblical Fasts
i. Water only.
ii. Food Fast.
iii. Daniel fast.
Discussion Questions:
Read Psalm 1:1-3. How can we learn to bear fruit during a hard season? What might this type of fruit look like?
Describe your experience with fasting? What are some things that have caused negative experience for you in the past? What are some things that have helped you have a successful fast?
Read Isaiah 58:6-9. What are some areas of breakthrough that you are believing God for during this season of pursuit?
How does fasting help us make more room for God?
What are some specific things God is asking you to fast of this season?