HOW OFTEN DO WE FAST?

Image from Pixabay

    Anytime you feel you should fast, do it. There are different reasons to fast and that should guide you on how many times to fast. We fast for personal reasons, collective reasons and national reasons. I don't look at the amount of time I spend fasting during the year. Fasting builds my relationship with God. I get to know Him (see A Typical Day when Fasting) and He can get to know me. 

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Luke 13:25

Adam and Eve had His companionship. Because of their sin we have to  seek His presence and companionship. We are locked out of the Garden of Eden. To get His attention or to spend quality time with God there is no better way than in prayer and fasting. 

It is very important to be in obedience to God. When God says to do it, we obey. We must be sensitive to the voice of God and the leading of The Holy Spirit to know when He is requesting it. In my experience when this happens He will indicate a reason for the fast. Because a fast must have a purpose. 

I heard a preacher say that God told him to fast on a specific day every week. He has been doing this for years. There was a specific reason for it. That is quite a commitment. Many Hindus I know fast every Thursday. Why can't we? Yes it is a sacrifice, but God will see our obedience. That is what He is looking for. 

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

We should have a desire to please Him. Giving our day, time and energy, skills and talents and our thoughts just to be in communion with God. There are so many benefits from it that it is a privilege to fast. Obstacles will come and we expect them to, but we will overcome. 

There are collective reasons for fasting e.g. as a church or as a nation. My Prime Minister has in the past asked for a day of prayer and fasting. I think all leaders should do this. My country is multi-cultural and when called to fast, most everyone fasts. It is not just a Christian practise. Because there are spiritual principles with fasting and most of the main religions practise and understand this. Do you know the story of Jonah? 

Picture from Pixabay

God told Jonah to go to the people of Nineveh and give them a message of judgement. Jonah was upset. He said that if he did that the people would repent and God will change His mind. God was very patient with Jonah. He literally put him in the corner of the whale's belly for a time out. Jonah had to repent, fast during the time in the whale's belly (I assume this), then obey. The people called a national day of repentance and fasting and God changed His mind.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: Jonah 3:5-7

There are many nations in turmoil; economic hardship, disease and sickness, war and rumours of war, weak leadership, extreme government systems etc. These are principalities and curses in effect. Only through repentance, prayer and fasting can these situations be removed. This is what God said about Nineveh. It shows His loving kindness and mercy.

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Johnah 4:11

A church can call for a day of prayer and fasting for different reasons. It is usually for a reason that affects the members e.g. starting a new ministry in the church. The church can call it as a church body for us as members to benefit e.g. to give of our first fruits for the year by fasting in January. Sometimes the churches in my country agree to call for a day of prayer and fasting for the nation. 

We should fast as often as needed. It helps us to commit our lives to living the way God wants. Similar to a car to align its wheels. I pray your life is in alignment with God's will for you in Jesus name. 

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

Reading of Books of the Bible.

THREE POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING WARS

    The Bible has documented many wars. It documents the past wars and the future wars. We are in dress rehearsal so the most relevant now is the Pre-Tribulation War. There are other wars after this; the Apocalypse,  Armageddon, the Heavenly War , and the Final Judgement. Except the Final Judgement (Revelations 20) really will not get off the ground as God intervenes and sends fire from heaven. 

Since we are in Pre-Tribulation time I consider all wars and rumours of war at this point, to either lead into the Pre-Tribulation War or be the Pre-Tribulation War. Currently, the potentially devastating wars are in three regions. What happens if all three are coordinated at the same time? I am provoking you with this question because it is possible. The alliances between Iran, China and Russia are stronger than ever before. We can look at Ezekiel 38 and 39 as reference.

46th President of USA, President Joe Biden

THE SET UP

Iran, Russia and China are supposed to be the enemies of the USA. USA is now what China calls a paper tiger. They have the might of the army but the Commander in Chief is weak.  One of the first acts of President Biden coming into power was to take on this role. This was strategically to set the pace and the agenda for his time as President. The reasons for this is beyond the scope of this blog

All three situations are related to the state of USA. Leaders in Iran, China, and Russia have the opinion that Joe Biden is weak. To compound the issue, is a commitment to diplomacy even when it is a time for action. Irresponsible statements from the Whitehouse exposing the disinterest in engaging in confrontations have not helped. Iran, China, and Russia have no deterrent to making confrontational moves. 

A key ally in the Middle East is Israel. However, Israel is being held hostage by a weak illegal government. Illegal because it is supposed to be a democracy but the the government does not represent the will of the majority. It is further weakened by division in the government. Israel has committed its sovereignty to USA. They will not make a move unless it is approved by the USA. That is weakness.

Now since this is a Christian based blog, I will point out that Israel's government now does not represent God's Bible manifesto.  Both USA and Israel are governed by the same party manifestos. I will explain how the three regions are relevant to prophecy. 

THE MIDDLE EAST SITUATION (OF COURSE)

The Arabian Peninsula War has escalated. Saudi Arabia has been attacked many times over the years by Houthis in Yemen. The United Arab Emirates had pulled out of this war a few years ago. However, UAE has begun open operations against the Houthis. This led to threats from the Houthis and attacks. 

Houthi warning to UAE

Israel has openly given solidarity to the UAE because of the Abraham Accord. This means Israel can be easily drawn into the war. At the heart of this war is Yemen but this is not the real issue. Iran is the financier and manipulator and uses proxies in Yemen. The war has escalated because it includes the UAE and because of the type of weaponry now being used. How long will Iran continue to operate covertly? According to the Houthis even the economic partners are in danger (see video). This means Iran is looking at widening the borders of the war.

The key 🔑 is Israel 🇮🇱. If Israel is drawn into the war Iran can find an excuse to attack Israel. The other scenario is for Israel to be used strategically to strike at the nuclear facilities in Iran or to attack other Iranian strongholds. Soon after taking the Commander in Chief post, Joe Biden took the Yemen Houthis off the terrorist list. How does this affect the situation for USA?

A quick update on this situation (19/01/22) is that the UAE is calling for the USA to put them back in the terrorist list. In the Book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, when the pre-tribulation war occurs, Saudi Arabia and UAE will look on and criticise the attack on Israel but will not do anything against it. Why? 

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Ezekiel 38:12-13

Taking a wider look at the ME, I find the situation in Sudan and Libya misleading. The government of Sudan appears to have been taken over by the Muslim Brotherhood, terrorists and sworn enemies of Israel. Libya is looking at normalising the relationship with Israel. Sudan is at peace with Israel. Due to the Abraham Accord, there will be unwalled villages. What changes this?

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, Ezekiel 38:11

The update on this is that an Israeli security delegation is in Khartoum meeting with Deputy Commander of Sudan's Rapid Deployment Forces. What can happen in this war to affect Sudan and Libya? Why will these nations join Iran in a war against Israel? 

EUROPEAN REGION

Russia has given an ultimatum to NATO and USA. Russia is readying the final preparations for a takeover of Ukraine. Ukraine is surrounded. UK is key here. UK can be drawn into it easily because of NATO and the call of the nations for help. Due to the poorly executed pull out from Afghanistan in August 2021, European nations and the UK no longer feel they can depend on the USA. 

NATO Meeting of Defense Ministers

Russian soldiers in Belarus
Image from Behold Israel

I believe there is a global drive to position UN to be the lead world body. This push by Russia will dismantle NATO. The UN (United Nothings) has proven to be anti-Israel. They have declared who they are, with the statue commissioned by the Mexican artist, that beast is in Daniel 7 and Rev 13.

With the UN increasing in power, or with Russia leading the way in Europe. Israel can easily be the next target. The competition for Russian gas is Israel. Iran can easily partner with Russia to take Israel's gas as 'plunder'. Also, Iran has an undying need to oppose Israel. An update on this situation is that the Prime Minister of Iran landed in Moscow for talks with Russia's President. He is hoping for a 20 year deal on cooperation. 

President Vladimir Putin's government has in the past stated they do not regard Israel without former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This means the relationship between Israel and Russia has changed. If Rosh is Magog then Gog is one of the other nations taken by Russia. That can be Belarus. Gog is referenced as ‘of Magog’ and ‘and Magog’ in two different wars.

THE FAR EAST

The war that we were really expecting was Taiwan and China. Was this a strategy to distract? In this scenario both the UK and Germany stated they will get involved. POSSIBLY the paper tiger, USA will join. With rising tensions between India and China, there is a potential war with Nepal caught between. China may choose to divert from Taiwan or engage in warfare in both areas. 

Coincidentally Russia has announced intentions to engage in exercises with China's Navy. Is this move on India related to Israel? Yes, Israel is an ally to India. 

If the allies of Israel; USA, UK, and India are fighting wars or legally tied due to other commitments or alliances, they will not be able to support Israel if attacked. Both Russia and China are eager to make deals for supplying weapons, and get contracts in the ME.  

I pray you do not become weary but find comfort in The Holy Spirit. I pray you find wisdom and understanding in the Bible and able to apply it in your life in Jesus name.

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

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ABOUT WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS

Greek soldiers in WWII

      When there is a war in Europe it is so devastating that it becomes a world war. This is why the European Union was formed. Currently there are three areas of conflict that are ripe for an escalated war. No longer are wars simply one nation against another. Due to trade deals and international bodies, wars have a higher impact on the regions. Recent events have been alarming for most of us. Many of us are trying to fit the situation into the Bible prophecies. Next blog! 

Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:6-7 that there will be wars and rumours of war.  Before a war there is usually a rumour or threat of war. There are different sides to rumours: 

1. A strategy in starting rumours. All rumours add to the tensions that usually cause wars. Especially in a Cold War. USA and Russia has returned to a Cold War recently with the Russian ultimatum to NATO and USA. 

Extract from Draft Agreement sent by Russia to NATO and USA (Dec 2021).

A clear example of the danger of rumours happened in 1967. Russia started a rumour about Israel and Egypt responded by declaring war. Two times the United Nations said it was not true. By the time Egypt realised it was based on a lie, it was too late. The people of Egypt were clamouring for blood and the Prime Minister could not reason with them. Personally, I think this was a huge tragedy as people died. In this case, there was a plus for Israel as they won Jerusalem. It backfired!

2. The response to rumours. Most of us know the story of the boy who cried wolf. A rumour of war could be just that. Sometimes there could be so many issues that threaten to bring a war that people become used to it. I find it hard to judge this situation and say people become complacent in war torn countries. It could be they are dealing with the stress differently. 

A friend in Georgia told me that if people were to leave the country with every threat to it, Georgia would be empty.  At this point in time Ukraine is surrounded by Russian troops. Troops in Belarus are conducting an exercise with Russia. How can one know when and if, an attack will happen?

Other times people are so comfortable they ignore harsh realities. This certainly played a role in Germany at the start of the Holocaust. In the late 1990s I formed a friendship with the now deceased Sister Deverney. When I found out that she fled Germany we chatted about her experience. 

She said a lot of Jews had been comfortable and did not believe it would happen to them. This was even though they knew troops were systematically going from street to street and they heard the stories. My friend was on the last British ship leaving Germany. I thank God I got to know her and her story.

Let us pretend the rumours they heard were not true. It would have meant making decisions to prepare to hide or flee. At the least it would have been stressful. Rumours affect people who are closer to the situation. They have to trust in leaders to work it out. Unless they pray and God intervenes. 

Today there is a high rate of suicide among our young people. A situation with rumours of war can still cause despair, death and affect lives. In Europe in particular there are studies with youths who say they feel disenchanted due to the lack of employment. Rumours of war makes the situation more desperate for them.

As Christians we pray about each situation and ask God to intervene.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Leaders cannot see it all and do it all. Let us all pray that leaders are strong to resist the temptations. Let us pray they; treat human life with value, not  give in to egotistical plans of empires, and that they make well thought off decisions based on truth. We speak life while others speak death, we speak truth and seek God's will. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We speak hope where there is despair. 

I pray you look to Jesus and find hope in Him. I pray you find peace and His joy fills your heart in Jesus name. I bind and remove the principalities and dominions of darkness operating over your nation in the name of Jesus. 

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

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A TYPICAL DAY WHEN FASTING

    I thought I should share on how I spend a typical day when fasting. On a normal day I will start with prayer and communion. When fasting, I continue this routine and have breakfast before 6 a.m. At 6 a.m. I pray again but this time I commit the fast and the reason for it to God.

Here is a simple step by step of that 6 a.m. prayer:

1. As with a business meeting, acknowledge the main guest, God. This is your praise and worship time. 
2. Ask God to forgive any sin, known or unknown, and confess them as they come to mind. Sometimes it is not an actual sin but a vanity e.g. I'm sorry that I was worrying about my job or that I took credit for something and did not give you the glory.
3. Removing obstacles in the way is important. Bind every demonic spirit or stronghold of the devil seeking to cause you harm and to keep you from fasting in Jesus name e.g., Every principality and dominions of darkness over my nation working against me is bound by the blood of Jesus and removed in Jesus name.
4. Ask God for protection during the fast; the mind, emotions, and physical body. 
5. Tell Him why you are fasting. Explain it and pray the way God sees it e.g. Father I was held back for promotion but promotion comes from you. Please judge the situation and if I am in the wrong and didn’t represent you at work I repent. My boss is not a believer I pray you reveal your son Jesus to him...
6. Waiting on Him is key. He will start to open and expand the issue. He will help you to dissect it and explore the situation. Pray about it as He starts to show you these things. It is like a surgical operation. What He shows you is to either thank Him for it and receive it, or to remove it in the name of Jesus. (In all things we seek to pray that God's will be done).
7. Thank Him in advance for the answer and making Himself available to you. 
8. Any other issues that The Holy Spirit brings to mind, pray about it.

During the day I would purposefully engage myself in the following:

• Pray at least three times a day. Daniel did this on a normal day and was favoured.
• Listen to praise and worship and participate in it. It is not entertainment. Isaiah 61:1-3 says it is a garment to wear. It is a tool to help praise and worship. It can help to change an atmosphere in a difficult situation. Sometimes I just sing. If you hear someone shouting Hallelujah from the street it could be me 🤪. Acts 16:25-26 is proof that praise and worship removes us from prison or bondage. 
• Listen to sermons and read the Bible. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. To build my faith in God I keep reading His words. I think about the meaning of what I read and how it applies to me and the world today. I meditate on God's word. Philippians 4:8 says, 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

• Seek opportunities. Yesterday I got in touch with two people recovering from illness. Create moments to reach others for Jesus.
• When opportunity presents itself, speak God's word to others and quote a verse. Incorporate God in any conversation by saying praise God or testify to the other person(s). Or encourage someone in Christ. Today I had a visitor and prayed with her. 
• Try to include praying for others. Prayer meetings can be set up with others. Or, you can pray for people whom you know.

But I don’t just do these things, I do it in God’s presence. Remember it is to build relationship with God and to position myself for Him to answer (Isaiah 58).

Fasting starts spiritual dynamics. Firstly, It takes you from the physical into the spiritual. God likes it and responds to it. Secondly, expect obstacles or push back from the devil. Usually on the first day I get an indication of the kind of obstacles I will face. Once I address it in prayer I have the victory for the rest of the days in fasting. 

At the end of the day at 6 p.m. I take communion again. This can be done with a group online or in person if you prefer. I ask God if the fast was acceptable and thank Him for keeping me and accepting it. After blessing God and thanking Him for the answer to my fast in advance I have some water (nothing cold) or some tea. Then I eat a light meal. 

But there were a few times when it was not accepted and right away He brought to my memory when I faltered. I had to repent and ask if there was room for negotiating another chance. Join me in my next blog as I look at the question How often do we fast? 

I pray you have the answer to your prayer and walk closer with God in Jesus name.

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR FASTING?

Secret by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free

    As a Christian I learnt about fasting. I knew nothing about this before except that Muslims had Ramadan and Catholics had lent. Once I gave my life to Christ, I understood its importance in my relationship with God. In the first of this series on fasting I answered the question, Why do people fast?  and looked at A typical day when fasting. Here I will attempt to give you some guidelines:  

1.    It is not effective if the fasting is simply not eating food or taking a drink. Fasting is usually preceded by prayer. This is why it is usually called Prayer and Fasting. The emphasis is on the prayer time not on starving oneself. You can drink water or have liquids and you can change your diet or abstain from specific things. Fasting would not be fasting if there was no prayer. 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7

2.    It is not for public knowledge. This is especially for personal fasting. In the example of a marriage (borrowing from the previous blog) the time a husband and wife spends in intimacy remains private. Since fasting is spending intimate time with God and reverencing God, it is treated the same way, private and holy. In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke about privacy with God in prayer then He spoke about fasting. 

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18

3.    Our hearts and mind must be clean and 'circumcised'. Why? Because our God is holy and perfect. We have to be the same.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16. 

Once a friend called me while I was fasting and in chatting an expletive came out my mouth. But the funny thing is I don't curse or use obscene language. Not only did I allow filth in my ears, I allowed it out my lips. I was not guarded.

Now when fasting, I ask The Holy Spirit to be the guard on my heart (Proverbs 4:23, 16:9). I have to be wise in locking myself up keeping away from people who will not respect my standards or my time of prayer and fast. Although we are not supposed to broadcast that we are fasting, generally our lifestyle should reflect our Christian values. 

4.    For the fast to be effective, spend time with God. The television cannot take more time than prayer time. Even if you are on the job during the fast, find quiet moments in between and be careful to not allow temptations to cause you to break the fast. I use praise and worship music to help change the atmosphere. I spend lots of time reading my Bible and meditating on the meaning of His word.

A fast can be broken by anger, cursing, false imaginations, lust, acts of the flesh (sex), gossip, thinking mean things, committing injustices, unforgiveness etc. 

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58: 6-7 

Avoid, anything that makes you forget to spend time in reverence to God. We have the assurance of God's love for us. Once we keep our part Isaiah 58:8-9 says He will answer our prayer.  We cannot doubt His love or His protection. Doubting God is doubting ourself as well. Doubting self is doubting who you are in Christ.

I can do all things through Christ which (who) strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

5.    A fast must be focused on something no matter how simple it is. But it must be in the context of God and His will. The issue or the person you are fasting about must be brought to God in prayer.  God is a jealous God, if I am bringing something to him, I have to seek His will in the situation. The situation or the individual cannot be more important than God, or be treated as more powerful than God.

Recently I was fasting and on the first day, a relative called me, and even though I was taken by surprise by the accusations I felt disappointed in the relative's behaviour. That led to anger and impatience. I had to literally cut the relative short and repent in prayer to The Lord, start over and re-focus myself. But there was a lesson in this. I had to kill what was 'earthly to me' Colossians 3:5.

Even though the situation threatened to spiral out of control, I had to make a stand to continue the prayer and fast. In order to do that I had to address myself before I could address the situation. Here are the steps I took:

• I looked at my negative emotions. I had to face them and figure out why I felt that way. I was so ashamed as I saw my flaws.
• Immediately I went before God and repented for loosing focus on Him.
• I trusted God to work it out and it did. I did not address it until the prayer and fast was over. I prayed that I would have opportunity to address the situation after. God first. 
• Humbled myself and asked God if I could make up for the lost time. Negotiations were in order.

Do you see it now? Romans 12:2 says it is in the testing that we can know the will of God, what is good, what He will accept and what is perfect. When fasting the first act is to go before God with a broken and contrite spirit. Anything that is buried inside the heart will show itself. Even for the best of us. 

Since 1994 I have been fasting and I still marvel at the new things I discover about myself. This month I started fasting as is the custom, and started naming my flaws. I asked God to show me the obstacles in my heart. I was in shock for the entire day! I thought I was a good Christian.  

I pray you learn more and more about God and I curse every obstacle in your way in the name of Jesus the Christ.

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

WHY DO PEOPLE FAST?

     Whew! The month is half way done. Time waits on no one. What are you giving to God? Giving the first of everything to God is special. This is the reason why many churches call a collective fast during the month of January. Some fast for 21 days and some for 40 days. There are no specific rules but there is a principle. Some people fast from the customary dusk to dawn which is for most of us 6 a.m. to 6 p.m and some break the fast at 3 p.m. Some do it for half day which is six hours. I encourage everyone to fast regularly especially in the first month. In this series on fasting I will answer write on the following:

• 

  Image by pxhere

  Why do people fast?
• What are the guidelines for fasting?
• A Typical Day when fasting
• How often do we fast?

It is important to learn about God. To receive favour from God, or to understand God, we have to know who He is and what He wants of us. How can we know what pleases God if we do not know Him? But in knowing Him we will want to keep His commandments or do as He wants us to. 

Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying John 8:5. 

This is how it works. Like in a relationship. Once we get to know our friend and learn to love them we want to do things to make them happy. Then the relationship grows and we enter into covenant with them through marriage.

Today we fast for different reasons taking example from the Bible. Praying and fasting bring us closer to God. When we fast we have to pray. This will be discussed further in the blog, What are the guidelines for fasting?

Many people fast in January for God to bless them for the rest of the year. This is the reason why it is associated with first fruits at this time. It is a principle set by God Himself. As the Israelites had to give of the first fruits to bring a harvest from God, Christians give the first fruit of everything including tithes. The principle is to give to God the first of everything.

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. Exodus 34:26

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the first day of the first month you are to take a young bull without blemish and purify the sanctuary. Ezekiel 45:18

Here are some reasons why Christians fast:

1. To entreat God and gain favour. 

To bring a situation before him. This was why Daniel fasted. He was concerned about what the prophet Jeremiah had written. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled Daniel 10:3. 

In this instance Daniel had an urgent matter to go to God with. He needed an answer and God sent the answer with a personal messenger. I dare say fasting was a regular practise for Daniel because he had a special kind of favour with God. Even the angel Gabriel said he was beloved. 

There seems to be exceptional favour or anointing when there is a lifestyle change in staying away from things. John the Baptist was another example. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey Matthew 3:4. John got to be the one announcing the coming of Jesus. That is a special kind of favour.

Image from Pixabay

2. To receive direction and seek the presence of God in our life.

Moses went up into the mountains and fasted. The direction God gave him is used by us in our daily living to this day. Millions of people follow the Ten Commandments. It forms part of legal systems globally. The presence of God remained with him and people saw this. Even your enemies will see the presence of God with you.

And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. Exodus 34:28-30

3. To cleanse or purify oneself. 

God wants a people who have a circumcised heart. Fasting helps us to achieve this. To purify our body, mind and spirit. If we are God's children then we fast and are entitled to covenant with Him. Covenant is for those whom He knows. Those who are intimate with Him. The ones who have special moments with Him. Fasting builds our relationship with God. Similar to the marriage example I gave earlier. 

We learn more of Him and He enjoys our companionship. But He sees that it is important to us when we fast. In opposition to this take the example of Adam and Eve. They did not keep their bodies holy because they ate the forbidden fruit. Also, they disobeyed. They did not give God priority because the focus was not on Him.

As a Christian we have to keep our bodies in holiness to God. For the Israelites the meeting place with God is the Temple. For us God dwells in us. 

Tell the rebellious house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I have had enough of all your abominations, O house of Israel. In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites. Ezekiel 44:6-9

4. No one is above fasting. 

We all fast, even non-believers understand the need to fast. God answers and blesses believers and non-believers when they fast and pray. Even Kings fasted. King David fasted. He fasted for others to be healed. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. Psalm 69:10. This example tells me I can fast for my family and friends. I can fast for healing.

5. When we need a massive move of God or have a nation related problem. 

Queen Esther needed God's favour to save her life and the lives of the Jews. Prophet Ezra fasted to humble himself and ask for protection from the enemies. He was responsible for transporting the people and the treasures or precious things of Israel. And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. Ezra 8:21

6. Jesus set the example for us. 

Jesus fasted. This is the most important reason I think. He re-established the spiritual dynamic that God instituted. He confirmed to us as Christians that we should fast. Similarly he was baptised but that is another blog. He conquered temptations of the carnal mind and flesh through fasting, prayer and the word of God. 

We see the spiritual dynamic in which the devil will tempt us and throw obstacles in our way. But Jesus shows us by example how to overcome him. From the example of Jesus and Moses I want to prove that God keeps us during the fast. Only after the period Jesus got hungry and Moses was not sick after 40 days and night of not eating. 

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Luke 4:1-2

I pray you have opportunity and courage to fast and pray in this time. I pray that God keeps you and strengthens you in Jesus name. 

If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord over your life you can pray the following prayer and attend a full gospel church near you:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you Father.

THE MEDES PEOPLE - A LESSON ON TRUSTING GOD

    There are a few lessons to be learnt from the Medes. It is a treat for me. Discovering new things make me like an addict especially when it proves the Bible 😂😂.  In other words I feel high like a kite on a windy day or an addict on drugs. In the first part of investigation into the Medes, an ancient people, I wrote on the favour of God. In this blog I write about forming the wrong alliances and placing trust in a man. 

To demonstrate this vital lesson I have to get into more details of the history of the Medes. In the Old Testament they formed a diabolical partnership with Persia. In the first blog I established that Media was a separate nation to the Medes. But were eventually absorbed into the Medo-Persian Empire. This is particularly important in discussing who Darius II was according to Daniel's account. The Medes of the Old Testament and of the New Testament were in two different situations. 

Cyrus The Great Symbol of White Falcon
(Picture from PxHere Public Domain)

Later on the Medes seem to have been swallowed up both in history and geographically by the Persians. Why? I believe that this was their punishment which I discuss in part III of this series. According to history it was Cyrus who united the Medes and Persians. But the Persians became more dominant. At least this is how the story is told.

During the time of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Medes were a force to deal with. They were one of the four empires at the time. When Nebonidus took over Babylon in 562 BC, he allied himself with a small vassal of Persia ruled by Cyrus. This was to counter the strength of the Medes. But Cyrus was related to the royal family of the Medes.

There was a revolt against the King of the Medes, Astyages. Some people preferred Cyrus. Cyrus took over defeating Astyages in 550 BC. This was an indicator of the subtle manipulations that became known as a trademark of Persia. Even today, Iran originally from the Persian empire, is known for destabilising the Middle East. It is similar to the tradition of younger siblings trying to usurp the older brother from the throne, which is also, a Persian trait. Changing God's order of succession. 

Cyrus maintained the alliance of the two nations by assigning high authority positions to people from both Persia and Medes. According to the Cyrus Cylinder (an artefact discovered), Cyrus The Great, was known to free the slaves and to restore temples. However, this was a strategy that won him the loyalty of the masses. It helped him to be victorious in Babylon. Cyrus did return some of the exiles as recorded in Ezra 1:1, 3:1-8, but not all. The work on the Temple did start but Cyrus betrayed the Jews. This again show manipulations and deceit. But it shows that God was working it out for His good.  

He was hailed as the one to start human rights by freeing the people from slavery and establishing religious freedoms. However, by hiring counsellors to oppose the rebuilding of the Temple in the Persian courts, he undermined the efforts of the Jews. 

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:5

Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:24 

Prophet Ezra gives details of the letter sent to the King by the counsellors. It gave false witness against the Jews. The Medes were not listed as the false witnesses in Ezra 4. This is important I think. God hates lying.

Let us entertain the idea that Cyrus did not do this himself or was innocent of it. The result is the same as he did give in to the counsellors and stopped the rebuilding process. The glory of God was waiting to re-enter the Temple. I don't think God was pleased with this as the delay took about 15 years. 

King Cyrus 
(Picture from PxHere Public Domain)

Then Cyrus died in 530 BC. His heir Cambyses II took over. Both Herodotus and Strabo agreed that he had no regard for religion that was foreign to him (Shea, pg.238). According to Shea it makes sense that the Jewish Temple could not be completed during his eight year kingship. Cambyses II captured Egypt. The plot thickens as for two months someone took over the throne. The person claimed to be a brother of Cambyses II. But that brother was supposed to be dead. Crazy right? But Cambyses II died and it was said he committed suicide in 522 BC. The strangest thing I think. After the victory of taking over Egypt to not want to fight for one's own throne. 

After two months Darius the cousin of Cambyses II killed the impostor and took the throne. According to Daniel, Darius was a Mede. Daniel 11:1, 'Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him'. Cyrus was thought to be a Mede too. But Cyrus was initially ruling in Persia and was either by descent or marriage related to the Medes. This was why there was an alliance and not a take over. It was because of Cyrus or his wife that the nations were kept separate throughout. 

Once Cyrus and his direct lineage was out of the way, the two nations became intertwined as one. Another point to note is that I have seen a Bible translation of Daniel referring to Darius as a Median King. But that would be wrong if the original writings said Mede. In Hebrew it is 'madaya' from the word 'madaah' meaning 'middle land'. This would be the Medes as they were between two rivers. Media is past the Mesopotamian Mountains. 

Perhaps Darius II was the true lineage of Astyages or as we can assume Xerxes. If Astyages and Ahasuerus are the same then Darius could truly have been of the lineage of the King of the Medes rightfully taking his place. Darius II was Cambyses's cousin but there is no record of which cousin. Most likely it would be the son of Astyages taking back the throne. Again this is where God intervenes. This is where I have a different view of how the history is told.

‘And Darius the Mede received the kingdom …’ (Daniel 5:31)
‘… Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans …’ (Daniel 9:1)
‘… Darius the Mede …’ (Daniel 11:1)

While the academics argue over the accuracy of Daniel the lesson here is to be careful with who one gets into bed with. An alliance with an enemy with an understanding of trust in a man will not last. The Medes were one of the four strongest nations at the time. The Medes based their trust on Cyrus and on their own strength. 

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

Cyrus appears to be very cunning and manipulative. His tactics seem to be very similar to modern day strategies. I am beginning to think that Cyrus was not very much a Mede, he has more traits as a Persian. Perhaps he was related to the Medes by marriage and not birth. His character has been made to look good over the years. This has affected the true history of the Medes. Lying leads to more lying and more sins. That is a lesson by itself. If I were to look further to why there was an alliance I would need to write another blog (hint). 

The Medes underestimated the Persians or Cyrus. They got comfortable and forgot that the heart of man is fickle. A man can change his mind and another man succeeding him can have a different direction. The absorption and disappearance of the Medes can then appear as a punishment by God. They were already great as a nation, they should have trusted God not man.

I pray that you are wise in this time and in the season of your life. That you seek God's guidance through The Holy Spirit and do not cause curses and judgements to fall on you and your family. I pray that every generational and exponential curse over you be broken in Jesus name. I pray you can let go of the past, forgive and look to the future in Jesus name.

If you don't have Jesus as your Lord and Saviour you should pray the following prayer and attend a Bible believing full gospel church near you. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be. Guide me in these times so I can be used by you to help others in Jesus name I pray. Thank you.

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