Expanding your Life through Fasting Nehemiah 1:4 September 11, 2016

Nehemiah 1:4 – When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (NIV)

To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world. -Karl Barth

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 – 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (NIV)

I. Fasting will increase our HUNGER for God. Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (NASB)

II. Fasting will draw you CLOSER to God. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 – 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (NASB)

1 Timothy 4:7-8 – 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (NLT)

III. Fasting will amplify your VISION of God. Matthew 6:22-23 – 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (NASB)

Psalm 34:8 – Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (NIV)

Matthew 6:16-18 – 16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (NASB)

Reasons for fasting: For routine spiritual maintenance To appeal to God for help in and during a pressing time of need For safety in the face of approaching danger To be equipped for a greater than normal ministry assignment To add a level of earnestness and sincerity to repentance and sorrow for sin To break an addiction or stronghold To show absolute humility before God When presented with a national emergency

How to determine your fast: A. Prayerfully decide what to say NO to and for how long. Say no to one meal per week for an entire month. Drink water but say no to food for 24 hours For three days drink water and juice and eat fruit only Say no to TV for one week Limit internet usage to business essentials Say no to dessert for one week *Some people are unable to fast from food due to personal health issues.

B. Prayerfully decide what to say YES to. Allow yourself to feel the urgency of spending time with God Determine a specific time during your fast for an extended time of prayer Calculate how long the time will last Take time for deeper self-examination and recommitment to your daily walk with God Focus on the denial of God’s gifts (food) and thank Him for the gift of His presence Keep track of your discoveries while you fast, write them down

Thought For The Week: Fasting is FEASTING on the very Word and presence of God.