Fasting and Spiritual warfare

We are in a special time and season. 
We enter our traditional yearly times, of fasting and prayer as we prepare our hearts and minds to obey the word of God.
 
We are being challenged to make sure we are in the faith, to ‘make your calling and election sure’. This is an opportunity to humble ourselves with prayer and fasting.
 
God calls this the perilous times. Jesus talked about what would happen in the end times..   We are glad to be in the kingdom in the end times.   We start the year out in a season of fasting and prayer seeking a sincere commitment and a deeper cry for the things of God.

Some things come not but by fasting and prayer. 
This unusual time is a special way for God to commune with  those who desire to have a true relationship with God. 
We are drawing closer in fasting and prayer, as  we need a deeper cry  and hunger for things of God.
God had allowed things to be different from what we are used to, unique circumstances.  God has a special way to draw us into closer relationship with him.
Those who have a relationship with Him are being drawn closer while those on the fringes are being called in this hour to make their calling and election sure.
 
Jesus set an example as to how to lead a life pleasing to God
Life in communion and connection to God  is our survival,  We need ears to hear the voice of God, and a determination to live a life pleasing to Him.  Desire leads us to come to a higher level.
Fasting is an exercise in spiritual warfare 
(Luke 4:1-3)  1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
 
(External evidence of the warfare)  It is obvious to believers and unbelievers alike that the times of the world are about to change. These are the signs of His soon return.  “Look up your redemption draws nigh”!  We can see the principalities and powers, rulers of wickedness around us.  We see nation against nation, Kingdoms against kingdoms, etc. iniquities on the rise as Jesus said it would be.  (Matthew 24:7 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.)
(Warfare inside us) Galatians 5  Galatians 5. KJV. 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondag   Warfare is an internal battle in believers
How to win the battle, how to overcome the flesh
How to live and be led by the Spirit of God at all times
Jesus our example of being full of the spirit
Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith, He is our model set for us to see how to live a life pleasing to God.
Be filled with the spirit,
How to be led by Holy Spirit and walking in power of the Holy Spirit in all things
There is a war going on at all times   - “the enemy withinna me” 
Luke 4:4-14
14Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside.
Lay aside every weight -  looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith
If Jesus fasted, we aught also to fast  -  He is our example, our model, our God
Hebrews 12  lay aside every weight, looking unto the author and finisher of our faith
He was first filled with the spirit, then led by the spirit into the wilderness, then came out of the wilderness filled with power of the holy spirit
Satan’s first attempt to tempt Jesus = cast yourself down from the temple
Jesus responded with the Word of God,  “thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”
Don’t tempt God!
God will protect, but He also gives wisdom as to how to deal with life and temptations of the enemy in every case.  Being full, led and responding to every case by the Word of God!
Fasting Is not only a time of denying ourselves our fleshly appetites, but
feasting on the Word of God, settled,  increasing our faith.
Submit to God in fasting and prayer, have hunger for Word as Job said, “more than my necessary food, my heart desires you.”
As we decree the word, it will be with power and anointing to cast down all fears and anxieties.  He keeps us in all our ways.
Speak with conviction but with authority and anointing of Almighty God.
We will see deliverance on a higher level.  God is in you and wants to work through you.
PG 3
Galatians 5:16,17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
We feed on the spirit, causing the natural man to decrease.
We feed our spirit man in worship and prayer, praying in the Holy Ghost and increasing our capacity in the spirit as we remember Isaiah 58:6 – the fast that the lord has chosen.
( “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and…)


Darkness on the earth but my glory shall be seen in you
Endued with anointing, we have never seen before
Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound
 
As the father has sent me…greater than these
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 
John 14:12-14  12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
 
Breaking every yoke of bondage
Galatians 5  be not entangled again.    stand fast in the liberty
In your finances and other areas  you will find a freedom!
 
Walking and moving together yoked together with Him
Matthew 11:29  29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 
Learn of me,  submit ourselves to learn of Him Draw nigh
 
Time to consecrate ourselves, separate from the cares of this world
Draw near to him.  8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:8)
 Worthy sacrifice of faith,
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 Benefits for Romans 8 the Sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared to what he has in store for us,  the glory
 
Galatians 5:16,17 
There is a constant War between flesh and spirit, but walk in the spirit
Spirit, flesh, sow, cause the natural appetite to decrease
Submit to God in worship and prayer
Prayer in the HOLY Ghost, increasing capacity in the Spirit
Walking in the power of the holy Ghost - Break away from the feel good and go to be filled up
Purpose of fasting (Isa 58:6)  3 points:
1)Loose the bands of wickedness …habits esp. Unbelief
Hebrews 3:12   beware brethren, lest there be an evil heart of unbelief
Trust in the faithfulness of God
Take God at His word, regardless of what it looks like
Cause your faith to come to a higher level
Come to a place of believing God, trusting Him knowing that He cannot lie, his Word cannot fail
  2)  Undo heavy burdens, anxiety, depression, fear, concerns about finances, healthy lifestyle, family
 3)    Break every yoke
 
(Isaiah 61)  spirit of the lord upon me anointed me, joy for mourning in Zion
 Jesus repeats this prophecy in Luke 4
Beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness
(Isaiah 51)  therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads,  Sorrow and mourning shall flee away  -  negative words flee away
(Isaiah 61:3 ) garment of praise covers you as you as you cast your cares upon him
Make our requests known unto God  - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
We will be anxious for nothing and the peace of God that passes all understanding shall rule in our hearts
Let the oppressed go free – Jesus went into the temple and let the oppressed go free  
Isaiah 60  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. God is with you and in you.  You will arise and shine and my army shall be endued with power not seen before.  Greater works than these shall ye do.
 
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning 
(Isa 58:7,8)  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Joy comes in the morning
Fasting brings the Wisdom you need, the light at the end of the tunnel, understanding of what to do and where to go
God promised health, healing as part of our salvation, wish that your soul prospers  (3John 1:2)
Health shall spring forth, healing is the children’s bread
Righteousness goes before you
giants that threaten will be destroyed
we are yoked together with him, going at the same pace, learning of Him, meditating on His word, time to meditate on the things of God and be strengthened with might
Jeremiah 33:3    When you call he will answer  “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
 
Be faithful and diligent behind the scenes
He will never leave you or forsake you
He will bring light out of obscurity
David was faithful in the background, faithful in battle
God brought him out of obscurity.
Darkness shall be as noonday
He will guide you continually, step by step
Satisfying soul - Natural or spiritual even in famine.  David testifies that he has “never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread”  (Psalm 37:25)
Word of God natural food, all your needs will be ….fruitful and abundant
Be like a watered garden
Be nourished and bring forth fruit
Isaiah 43:19 19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Rivers in the desert, like springs of water --  bring refreshing life to others who are in barren places
He brings rivers in the desert, causes us to be repairers of the breache    ( Isaiah 58:12) You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell
 
 
The best is yet to come
It’s not over yet, be strong in the lord
The enemy knows he has but a short time
Will to sacrifice, fast and pray, love, to forgive
Whatever is necessary for God to get the glory out of your life
Watch Him confirm his word with mighty signs following
Overcome in fasting and prayer and watch God prove himself faithful
BE ENCOURAGED,   BE FAITHFUL IN THE LORD,  SUBMIT TO THE  LORD IN FASTING AND PRAYER
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