Stop TRYING to be like Jesus
I Timothy 4:7 Philippians 2:12,13
There is a BETTER way
I Timothy 4:7 exercise yourself toward godliness (NKJV) Train yourself for godliness (ESV, NLT), train yourself to be godly (NIV, NLT), Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (NASB)
PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH 6 Figure 2.1
WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES? Meditation Prayer Fasting Study Simplicity Silence Submission Fellowship Spiritual Friendship Service & Giving Confession Worship Guidance Celebration Evangelism Journaling Chastity Holy Communion Solitude Stewardship Bible Reading Sabbath Discernment Discipling Hospitality Gratitude Etc, etc, etc
DEVELOPING STABILITY IN BELIEVERS Increased Willingness to Listen Doctrinal Stability Relational Stability Increased Ability to Choose Wisely Functional Stability Increased Capacity to Relate to Others
INWARD SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES The inward area is the first place of loss of true Christian life, of true spirituality, and the outward sinful act is the result. ~ Francis Schaeffer
MEMORY TOOLS FOR PRAYER A.C.T.S. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (Intercession & Petition)
LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY..A.C.T.S. Help Others: Intercession Help Me: Petition Thank You: Thanksgiving Forgive me: Confession I love You: Adoration 11
Fasting & Praying Matthew 6:6 Luke 11:1 Mark 9:28-29 Psalm 119:164
A WORD ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION OF FOOD Enjoyment Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; 5:18 Nourishment Genesis 1:30 Genesis 9:3
A WORD ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION OF FOOD Fellowship Genesis 18:1-8 Deuteronomy 12:6,7,18 1 Corinthians 10:17 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Revelation 3:20; 19:9
A WORD ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION OF FOOD Source Of Worship A gift from God A cause for giving thanks to God Matthew 6:11 1 Timothy 4:3b-4 Acts 27:35 Deuteronomy 8:10
WHAT BIBLICAL FASTING IS NOT A Physical or Psychological Discipline
WHAT BIBLICAL FASTING IS NOT A Manipulative Tool
WHAT BIBLICAL FASTING IS NOT A Hypocritical Religious Exercise Luke 18:12a
A WORD ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION OF FOOD Source Of Worship A gift from God A cause for giving thanks to God Matthew 6:11 1 Timothy 4:3b-4 Acts 27:35 Deuteronomy 8:10
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING? O.T.: To afflict one s soul N.T.: Nesteia: ne (a negative prefix) esthio which means "to eat "not eating" for spiritual purposes: communication and relationship with the Father
What Is Biblical Fasting? Old Testament Means to cover the mouth New Testament To abstain from food (OT & NT remove liquids also at times) 21
What Is Biblical Fasting? To become so consumed with a matter that it becomes more important than food. To set food aside in order to concentrate on seeking God and His answer to a particular matter 22
What Is Biblical Fasting? To abstain from food and sometimes liquids for a period of time to help us strengthen our spiritual muscles 23
Why Fast & Pray Jesus expects us to fast Matthew 6:2,5,7,16 Compare with Matthew 9:14 Fasting humbles us King Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-29) 24
Why Fast & Pray Fasting prepares our heart to hear from God 25
Why Fast & Pray God s voice is (usually) not audible. God s voice is very unique When you hear God s voice you will learn to know it 26
God IS GODISNOWHERE GOD IS NOWHERE GOD IS NOW HERE
Why Fast & Pray Fasting disciplines our bodies & conquers our fleshly appetites (1 Corinthians 9:27) 28
Why Fast & Pray When we take control of our physical appetite, we develop strength to take control of all other appetites. John 8:32-36 29
Why Fast & Pray Fasting works with repentance Joel 2:12 Jonah 3:5 30
Why Fast & Pray Godly Prayer With Biblical Fasting Releases Breakthrough Spiritual Power 31
Why Fast & Pray A Powerless Believer Has Nothing To Offer A Hurting World 32