The Primarily Reason for Fasting - Apostle Joseph Simwela

The primarily reason for fasting

*Why do we need to fast, Once in a while*

*Do you ever see the need to fast in your life?*

Why is it important to fast?

What happens when you don't fast?

 Before we can read our text, I want you to know that the primarily goal of fasting is to be with the Lord - you do not need any prayer point or situation to trigger you into fasting.

 Nevertheless, your understanding of spiritual things will help you to raise your fasting gear.

Let's read the word. . . . 

*Text*

When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse: neither to eat nor to drink until they had killed Paul.

*Acts 23:12 HCSB*

We can call these Jews to be messengers of Satan. . . 

They agreed not to eat or drink till they have killed Paul. . .

My question to you is, 

*What makes you think no one is fasting for your downfall?*

*What makes you think no one has sacrificed something on the altar of Satan just to make sure there is no progress in your life?*

You must fast to cancel whatever Satan has wired against your life.

*If the messengers of Satan can fast against our lives, what are we doing to avoid such attacks?*

Someone could be fasting till he sees you not getting married. . ..

Someone could be fasting till your job and businesses end. . . ..

Are you sure you can't see the reason to go fasting once in a while?

Whatever you lost or got limited to, through Satanic Sacrifice against your life requires another spiritual sacrifice to be lifted

 - this is why Jesus said, 

"This kind does not go with only Prayer, but also adding fasting"

You need to take fasting as your main spiritual weapon, third from acts of righteousness and your prayer life.

You must have a *three check list troubleshooter* should you see that your things are not working: you must first look at your obedience to the word - it's doing the word that make us Holy and not listening or teaching the word.

1. God is Holy, so should you - Are you doing the word? - acts of righteousness. Then you need to know that 

2. Weak Christians can't win - winners Pray, how is your prayer life?, Jesus said man aught always to pray. Then lastly check 

3. Your love for God - you love by the heart and the question is, Who has your heart? 

Your true measure of God's love is seen in your giving and sacrifices. 

*Text*

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

*1 John 2:15 NLT*

How much more are you willing to give up just to be with God?

- are you ready to go without breakfast and lunch for the next 14 days?

- are you ready to stay off your TV, movies, football, . . . .just to have more time with the Lord?

You cannot have both God and the world at the same time - one must be given up.

To give up a thing of this world for God is what we call Sacrifice - Fasting is a Sacrifice.

There is no grace for fasting. . . It's a Spiritual Sacrifice, remember from the previous episode. . . .

Jesus said man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. . .

It means the substitute of physical food must be spiritual food - spending time in the word as well as praying during your fasting.

Whenever you are fasting, just make sure you are supplying yourself with the word of God

Fasting is not just abstaining from food but rather abstaining food to be more close to the Lord

*What happens when you choose not to go fasting in your life?*

From the bible, you will see that. . . 

Our first sin to the World came because of food. . . .

The Israelites were captives in Egypt because of food. . . In search of corn. . .

Let's read the verses

*Text*

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, *and he ate it, too*.

*Genesis 3:6 NLT*

Underline this, "*and he ate it too*"

Imagine if Adam was fasting during this time. . . .

Most of our problems are coming from the craving of food. . .

When you fast, you detach yourself from the physical world - the things of this world.

Satan uses things of this world including food, so the moment you choose to regularly fast, you are like disconnecting Satan from reaching you.

*Text*

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

*Genesis 3:11 NKJV*

The question is, . . . .

*Have you eaten?*

Those who fast don't eat anyhow. . . And in a process, they avoid food prepared on the table of an enemy.

Those who love eating usually miss the voice of God and eventually missing their destiny

 Look at Esau, he lost his birthright because of food. ..

Some of you, the gap between you and your breakthrough is only a three day fasting - but you know no fasting at all.. . . .

All you say is, at the right time - heavens will open up. . . .in fact heaven will respond to your fasting, God is waiting for you.

Start fasting at a deeper level with understanding, make it your routine - a way of living.

You do not need a special prayer point or situation to go fasting - The main goal of fasting is to seek the presence of the Lord 

The purpose is to remain strong in God because we never know the kind of challenge we might face but since the Spirit of the Lord knows, He may direct us into it. 

*God bless you as you take a deeper step into forsaking the world for Jesus*. . .

 Next, we will look at secondary reasons for fasting apart from alignment or staying close to God.

*May the good Lord grant you the spirit of laying down, you will let the world go just to be with the Lord, in Jesus mighty name!*