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Is Fasting Really Necessary?

A brand new year often brings a desire for consecration for the Christian. We sense that we need to draw closer to the Lord or, in essence, rededicate ourselves to Him. We recognize the need for more of Him. For many, that consecration means fasting. Fasting literally means not eating food. I know it has become common practice to go easy on ourselves and say that we are fasting television or social media for a time. Though those things are good to do, they aren’t fasting. Fasting means food.

But is it necessary? There are objections to fasting found both outside and inside the church. If the objection comes from the outside, it is usually coupled with comments like, “That’s a little fanatical” or “isn’t that a bit extreme?” If it comes from within the church, it is from those who desire to argue over particular scriptural references that suit their opinions.

First, let me be clear, you don’t have to fast to get saved. However, when Jesus behaves in a particular manner, it would seem a behavior we ought to emulate. John 5:19 “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” So Jesus emulates the Father, and we emulate Jesus.

It would seem that the Son of God would not need to fast. But we see that in Matthew 4:1-11, he clearly did. Why was it necessary? Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, he was led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus knew what was ahead. He knew the enemy would be coming to tempt him. With that knowledge, Jesus chose to prepare. His preparation was that of fasting. He humbled his flesh to allow no hindrance for His Spirit to rule.

The purpose should be the same for us. We don’t fast because we think it is a magic wand that can make God answer our prayers. Instead, we humble ourselves and our flesh so that our spirits draw closer to God. We desire His strength and power instead of the fleeting power of natural food. We understand that fasting doesn’t change God. It changes us, and that is where we need the help.

To live a surrendered life for Christ in this new year will take our participation and preparation. If you live to advance of the Kingdom of God and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, It will take your participation. You may need to put away the former things and put on His righteousness. You may need to die to the flesh so you can live to the Spirit. To do this, it may take humbling yourself and acknowledging your dependence on the Lord. If we recognize that we need Him today and every day, we will do whatever it takes to remain close to His heart.

Jesus said that we would have tribulation in this world, so we know we will face difficult circumstances and temptations like Him. But He also said, be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. He showed us a remedy. He showed us what He did. He fasted.
I think it’s that simple. If Jesus needed to do it, I think it is fair to say that we do too. If you feel that there is too much space between you and your Savior, if you just need more this year, if life is overwhelming, or you simply want to rededicate yourself to the Lord and His purposes, consider a time of fasting.

Happy New Year!

Jaime Luce

Photo 45724681 / Fasting © Win Nondakowit | Dreamstime.com

 

 

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If You’re Not Careful, It Will Be To Late

For those who are awake, not woke, but awake, we share a feeling of urgency. Some, because of how uncomfortable the state, ignore it while others are driven by it. Still, others feel trapped and don’t know what to do with it.

The scriptures always contain the answers. If we want wisdom, if we want to know what to do and make the fewest mistakes possible, we must be people of the Word. In what sounds like sadness, or a realization that comes late, Moses prays this prayer recorded in Psalms 90:12. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Doesn’t everyone want to know what to do? Yet, there is a second and equally powerful need. To know when to do it. Former chairman of Chrysler, Lee Iacocca, once said, “Even the correct decision is wrong when it was taken too late.” 

We must understand that time is the only commodity that you can’t get back. It’s more powerful than money because you can’t get more. You only have what you have. The body of Christ must act now. Whatever you’re planning to do for God must be done now. Whatever witness you are going to be, be it now. Whomever you are going to reach, reach them now.

To us as a country. We must take action now. There is no more time. It isn’t enough to know what must be done. We must do it now, or it will be too late. We know what wisdom tells us, so let us not be fools. Whatever happens, will be because of what we did or did not do.

Dt. 31:7 “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.”

Our children will inherit what we cause them to inherit. The burden lies with us. Don’t wait any longer. Be strong. Take courage. Take action. Pursue an inheritance of great value and help them lay hold of it before time runs out.

Jaime Luce

Photo 71114394 © Goshiva | Dreamstime.com
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Stand in the Gap

The world is screaming, “How could you?” The President of the United States left thousands upon thousands of Americans and innocents in harm’s way as he pulled our military out of Afghanistan. The decision to leave behind our people flies in the face of our own military code of “No man left behind.”

Immediately we saw who the real American leaders were. People like Glenn Beck and the Nazarine Fund and Kenneth Copeland Ministries, who raised over 22 million dollars in just two days to go and get people out, all those who gave that money, and then, of course, our honorable veterans who said, “not on my watch.” These people who seemingly had no way to make a difference made the most significant difference.

In scripture, this is the kind of person God calls. In Exodus, two midwives refused to kill innocent babies though Pharaoh commanded it. In Esther, Mordecai stopped an attempt on the Kings life. Esther understood her position to save a nation came at the risk of her life, but she answered that call. David, who was just a boy, ran toward a giant to save his nation when the king refused to fight. Samson took on entire troops by himself and won. God’s prophets wielded their authority and appointed kings, and removed others. Jael took a tent peg to King Sisera’s head. Disciples repeatedly were thrown in prison for bringing truth, healing, and freedom to those who were bound. Jesus allowed himself to be put on a cross and die for the world’s sin when we could not. That is a hero, and the scriptures are riddled with them.

What kind of person are you? If you see a crime happening, do you report it? Do you try to stop it? Or do you look around and say, “that’s none of my business.” If you call yourself a Christian, you are called to be an intercessor. Someone who intercedes on behalf of another. We are called to stand and make a difference. We are those who are full of faith and refuse fear. We are the body of Christ. If you attack one of us, you’ve attacked all of us.

It’s time to stand and be counted among the brethren and live as overcomers!

Jaime Luce

Photo 55352857 / American © Oleg Zabielin | Dreamstime.com
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Hold Fast to Your Promise

As Abraham listened, he heard what sounded like the breaking of a promise. God had told him that by Sarah, he would have a son. And through that son would come descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky and sand of the seashore. How could God ask him to offer his son as a sacrifice?

Do you find yourself hearing the Lord’s instructions to offer back to Him all that He has given and promised to you? This is the test of faith. Genesis 22:1 says, “Sometime later, God tested Abraham’s faith.” This test comes not before you have seen God move on your behalf but after. It comes when you think all is as it should be. But the test isn’t just to see if you will continue to believe God but do you still believe his promise in the face of losing what you now have.

Abraham had waited for twenty-five long years to have Isaac. But now Isaac was here. He was grown. The promise seemed to be playing out just as promised. So why would the test of faith come now? Because now you have something to lose. The test of faith was not just to receive but to hold fast to it in the face of having it and now losing it. Would he still believe God if God took the very thing that held the answer?

Abraham’s faith was such that whether he was waiting for Isaac or if God was taking Isaac, He was still going to fulfill his promise. Abraham’s faith said, no matter what I don’t have or I did have, God will still do everything He said He would do, even if that means resurrecting what is dead. The bottom line is that He believed God, period.

Today, be determined to stand. Stand firm on the words you have received from the Lord. Don’t turn loose even in the face of loss. Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. He is God Almighty! And He will do exactly what He said He would do.

Jaime Luce

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