Fasting is a VERY IMPORTANT BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE, a very powerful practice that opens us up to receive more of the Lord and have LESS OF US. Fasting is more than just depriving ourselves of food for a certain period of time. IT’S A MEANS TO ACHIEVE A SPIRITUAL INTIMACY WITH GOD that we cannot achieve using any other means. God said, “Is this not the fast THAT I HAVE CHOSEN: To lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)
- LOOSING THE BONDS OF WICKEDNESS: It is becoming more difficult to read or watch something that is not trying to drag us down in our spirit! Satan, “the god of this world has blinded the minds…” (2 Corin. 4:4) Reading scripture while fasting exposes our brains repeatedly to the image of the Word of God. We must literally begin to feast upon the Word, that is where God’s Spirit lives. It is where HIS MIND AND WILL can influence our thoughts, and filter out wickedness, allowing revelation to move through us. It provides a PATHWAY OF LIGHT.
- TO UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS: Jesus said, during your fast, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.” (Matt. 11:28–30) “Cast your burden upon the LORD (a fast will help us not to carry our burdens by ourselves but give them to Jesus) and He will SUSTAIN (kûl: to support) you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (môṭ: give way).” (Psalms 55:22)
- TO LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE: “…forgive us our debts, As WE FORGIVE our debtors…For IF YOU FORGIVE men their trespasses, your heavenly Father WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. But IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE men their trespasses, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:12-15)
- BREAK EVERY YOKE: The anointing of the Holy Spirit is very powerful and beneficial. What I realized, however, is that it is not a “something” that breaks yokes and chains — it’s a “SOMEONE.” It is THE ANOINTED ONE, OUR MESSIAH, who is anointed by the Holy Spirit of God. It is Jesus Christ who absolutely delights in removing and breaking any chains that bind us. “…in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off our shoulder, and his yoke from off our neck, and the yoke shall be broken BECAUSE OF THE ANOINTING.” (Isaiah 10:27).
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham