Spiritual Growth while Fasting
Pastor Brian Friday
Fasting provides an amazing opportunity for us to honestly and accurately assess ourselves before God. When we’re fasting, all the distractions that can cloud our view begin to fade and we have the opportunity to see ourselves without any false pretenses. This is our chance to grow closer to God and His will for our lives.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load. 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
— Galatians 6:3-8 NKJV
Take advantage of every opportunity to really draw near to God. When you have a thought about Him or possibly an area where you’ve fallen short, don’t let that thought pass without dealing with it. It’s being brought to your attention, not to condemn you, but so that you can deal with it, repent, and receive strength from the Lord to experience more of the LIFE He gives. And, the amazing thing is that this process will allow you to be a greater blessing for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
An amazing thing happens when we embrace the process of fasting. There is great Spiritual Breakthrough personally, and corporately. (As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.)
— Ephesians 4:11-16
We not only grow individually, but we help each other grow which keeps the church healthy and growing.
So, we can see how important it is that we fast. We fast for ourselves but especially for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Stay the course, don’t grow weary, and watch what will happen! It helps when you’re feeling tempted and weak to know that it’s not just about you. When we know everyone is involved it helps us to keep our focus and keep on fasting, praying, and worshipping.
Stay focused, Great things are happening!
— Pastor Brian