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Fasting
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Among other topics best not brought up in a Baptist church, unless you want a revolution, are the number of hymns to be sung and eating too much [gluttony]. In the past we railed against drinking, smoking, cussing, chewing and dipping snuff and going out with girls that do ... but eating too much was a taboo topic.
No, I am not trying to be funny ... well maybe a little bit.
Well, I have been on three fast...
The first I did not know what I was doing, I just saw it in the Bible and went on a three day fast.
All I experienced was hunger and anger because I was hungry! The first two days were horrible..maybe I was detoxing? The third day I realized I was not as hungry and I could think clearer. Other than that...nothing! But As I said I did not know what I was doing, other than just obeying what we should be doing.
The second one I went on was a prayer group fast..21 days! This was not a complete fast, but we were to choose something to give up. We were to pray about it and let God convict us on what to do. But along with this fast we met once a week and learned more about fasting in the Bible. This was very informative.
The third one was a short churchwide fast...
Has anyone else fasted? If so what was your experience?
The first I did not know what I was doing, I just saw it in the Bible and went on a three day fast.
All I experienced was hunger and anger because I was hungry! The first two days were horrible..maybe I was detoxing? The third day I realized I was not as hungry and I could think clearer. Other than that...nothing! But As I said I did not know what I was doing, other than just obeying what we should be doing.
The second one I went on was a prayer group fast..21 days! This was not a complete fast, but we were to choose something to give up. We were to pray about it and let God convict us on what to do. But along with this fast we met once a week and learned more about fasting in the Bible. This was very informative.
The third one was a short churchwide fast...
Has anyone else fasted? If so what was your experience?
Yes! Baptist like to fellowship with eating...and often!Among other topics best not brought up in a Baptist church, unless you want a revolution, are the number of hymns to be sung and eating too much [gluttony]. In the past we railed against drinking, smoking, cussing, chewing and dipping snuff and going out with girls that do ... but eating too much was a taboo topic.
No, I am not trying to be funny ... well maybe a little bit.
I have fasted several times. Once for 3 days (water only), once for 5 days (juice & water only) and several times done a 24 hr fast with others. They were all very helpful and insightful, mostly that food does not sustain us, God does.
Among other topics best not brought up in a Baptist church, unless you want a revolution, are the number of hymns to be sung and eating too much [gluttony]. In the past we railed against drinking, smoking, cussing, chewing and dipping snuff and going out with girls that do ... but eating too much was a taboo topic.
No, I am not trying to be funny ... well maybe a little bit.
Number of hymns? I don't remember that being a point of controversy anywhere I'e been at.
Greektim
Well-Known Member
24 hr fast once... similar to the above that God provides what I need. It was a good lesson to rely on him when it started to hurt or get tough.
There were so many times that I almost talked myself into just stopping. The constant barrage of temptation to quit was nearly overwhelming. It showed me that I must rely on God's grace to overcome any adversity in my life.
Great lesson, I maybe should fast again.
I also did a fast for a student of mine who was in the hospital in very critical condition. I purposefully didn't eat and spent much time in prayer. Once it was told that he was doing better, I went ahead and starting eating. It only lasted 12 hrs or so.
Good thread... nice that it is not the constant debate of Calvinism or eschatology.
USN2Pulpit
New Member
That's actually a good thought as to "results of fasting."
It can be frustrating as you said when you're not sure why you're doing it other than "we should."
Some time ago, I preached about fasting, and several members and long-time believers gave me feedback; "we've been in church for "x" number of years, and that's the first message we've ever heard about fasting."
what a shame
Some also say that there is a closeness to God that you simply will not experience from prayer or personal devotions alone. You must fast!
You get a greater revelation of God's Word when you fast that you cannot get any other way.
When I hear this ...it makes me want to fast!
You get a greater revelation of God's Word when you fast that you cannot get any other way.
When I hear this ...it makes me want to fast!
Skandelon
<b>Moderator</b>
Because it is difficult, uncomfortable and people know their salvations don't depend on it...
Just being honest as it why I believe it isn't addressed much.
Yes, true! It has nothing to do with our salvation. But it is in the Bible, Jesus did it...He taught his disciples about it.
Skandelon
<b>Moderator</b>
As he taught of us avoiding gossip and gluttony, but a brief survey of the average American church makes one wonder...
True! If we would just wake up:sleeping_2: ...and heed what He tells us on all things! How much better we would be!
Jesus said "When you fast" in Matt. 6:16 and "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting" in Mark 9:29.
We should not dismiss a spiritual practice that the Bible endorses.
If it helps us draw closer to God...why do we neglect it?
Is there a difference in the OT fasting and the NT fasting?
We should not dismiss a spiritual practice that the Bible endorses.
If it helps us draw closer to God...why do we neglect it?
Is there a difference in the OT fasting and the NT fasting?
In the OT I see accounts of people, even nations, fasting for different reasons. It seems that fasting had to do with mourning or getting God to intervene during a crisis. More of trying to convince God to change His mind and obtain favor from Him. Joel 2:12-14, Jonah 3:5-9 are good examples of this.
In the NT or New Covenant we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord an Savior..and our past, present, and future sins have alreaady been forgiven. We do not need to fast to obtain favor or receive mercy, because through Jesus we live in a continual state of God's mercy. So fasting is more of a celebration of the goodness of God!
Another way of saying this is in the OT the mindset was to "do in order to become." But in the NT, the operative principle is "you already are, therefore act like it" ..rejoice and celebrate Christ has set us free.
In the NT or New Covenant we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord an Savior..and our past, present, and future sins have alreaady been forgiven. We do not need to fast to obtain favor or receive mercy, because through Jesus we live in a continual state of God's mercy. So fasting is more of a celebration of the goodness of God!
Another way of saying this is in the OT the mindset was to "do in order to become." But in the NT, the operative principle is "you already are, therefore act like it" ..rejoice and celebrate Christ has set us free.
I can see that fasting is another topic that my baptist brothers and sisters are not comfortable with!:laugh: My flesh does not like it either!!
I think fasting could change our spiritual life. Even though our spirit is eternally made new through Christ, our soul, which is the intersection of our mind, will and emoations, can become weighed down, heavy, negative and sluggish.
Even if we are going to church, reading our Bible and worshiping, there are times when we need to give our souls a good spring cleaning to make them fresh again.
This is what fasting does. It is a key to never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fever, serving the Lord.
I think fasting could change our spiritual life. Even though our spirit is eternally made new through Christ, our soul, which is the intersection of our mind, will and emoations, can become weighed down, heavy, negative and sluggish.
Even if we are going to church, reading our Bible and worshiping, there are times when we need to give our souls a good spring cleaning to make them fresh again.
This is what fasting does. It is a key to never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fever, serving the Lord.
This is what I am learning too!:thumbs:In speaking with my husband last night about some issues, I challenged him to spend a day praying and fasting for wisdom and guidance. I don't think fasting does anything to God but it certainly gets OUR attention and focus on Him.
On my second fast (21 days with a prayer group)....
When we met once a week and shared with the group, everyone was sharing about how God was opening doors for them in this area or that one. At first I thought that I was not doing it right, maybe not praying enough...because my experience was different.
So...I prayed to God about my concern. I told Him that He knew my heart and that I was wanting to get closer to Him.
I was experiencing a lot of conviction while I was fasting! I guess God had to bring to surface things that I thought I had right with Him, but did not! This was part of my clean up! I also realized that everyone are in different places in our Journey with God, so every fast will be different for different people.
When we met once a week and shared with the group, everyone was sharing about how God was opening doors for them in this area or that one. At first I thought that I was not doing it right, maybe not praying enough...because my experience was different.
So...I prayed to God about my concern. I told Him that He knew my heart and that I was wanting to get closer to Him.
I was experiencing a lot of conviction while I was fasting! I guess God had to bring to surface things that I thought I had right with Him, but did not! This was part of my clean up! I also realized that everyone are in different places in our Journey with God, so every fast will be different for different people.