Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where our Lord reinstated him three times as the leader of the disciples (Jn 21). As a result, in the book of Acts, Peter becomes a changed man. After His resurrection, Jesus continues to appear to the disciples and others for 40 days as proof He is alive (Acts 1:3). Once while eating with the disciples, He tells them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of His Father. He then tells them they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days (1:4-5). Just before His ascension, Jesus tells them they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them (1:8a).
Throughout the Bible we most often find God’s people turn to fasting as the natural, inevitable response to a grievous sacred moment in life, such as death, sin and tragedy. But other times a fast is not a spontaneous reaction and we have time to prepare to respond both physically and spiritually.
Fasting is not an end unto itself, but a means of focusing our minds and bodies for a spiritual reason. Whenever you fast, do so for a reason that is mentioned or modeled in the Bible.
Here are ten primary purposes for fasting mentioned in Scripture:¹
In a world that can often values surface image more than spiritual heart health, attention to matters of the heart must be something we daily pursue and steward.
Jesus is teaching in the city of Capernaum. He is surrounded by a vast multitude of people. Most of them are there to hear what He has to say because they are fascinated by His message and by His miracles. These people are there to hear the Lord. Others are there to find fault with Jesus and His words and works. The religious leaders have come to hear Jesus and as they listen to what He has to say, they accuse Him of being in league with Satan. These people are there to hinder the Lord.
“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down: (Proverbs 26:20). The Bible tells us to make every effort to avoid gossipers (Proverbs 20:19).
As a review, Webster defines gossip as ”easy, fluent, trivial talk, talk about people behind their backs.” It is repeating information about another person’s private affairs. If you have to look around to make sure that no one can hear what you are saying, you are probably gossiping. If you would not say something in front of the person you are talking about, then you’re probably gossiping.
Unfortunately, the devaluation of membership has crept into the church as well. People just don’t see the benefit of formal membership. This is not just a problem with people not liking the idea. Our leaders have often done a poor job teaching the value of church membership. We love God and one another with true affection and good works. And we hold one another accountable as we seek to glorify God together; being united to one another in love.
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
“...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
I was just in the second grade when Jesse Jackson came to my elementary school and told us in a speech, “I am somebody”! I will never get that day! In teaching us how to live, Jesus used sparrows to illustrate the same point, WE ARE SOMEBODY! A worthless sparrow. “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (vv. 6-7 NKJV).
