Matthew9:1415says; Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but

thy disciplesfastnot? AndJesussaiduntothem,Canthechildrenofthebridechambermourn,aslongasthebridegroomis with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall theyfast. WhatIsFasting? The Greek word for fast is nesteuo (pronounced nacetyooo), meaning to abstain from food. The AmericanHeritageDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguagedefinesfastastoabstainfromeatingallorcertain foods,especiallyasareligiousdisciplineorasameansofprotest. Fasting purchases spiritual things (it gets), by exchanging them for (giving up) natural or carnal things. Fastingprimarilyinvolvestheabstinencefromfood.Itcanbepleasantfoods(Daniel10:3),somefoods(such asfastingfrommeats,snacks,etc..),orallfoods.Ibelievethatyoucanalsofastfromanycarnalornatural thingthatholdsyourfleshcaptive,suchastelevision(Istronglyrecommendthis),readingthenewspaper, gettingontheinternetortelephone,etcOneofDanielsfastincludednotanointinghimselfwithoil(Daniel 10:3).InthistextthewordanointintheHebrewismashach,meaningtorubwithoil.Thishadtodowith Daniellubricatinghisskin,similartowhatwedowithlotion.Danielwasdenyinghisflesheventhisluxuryof beinggreasedorlubricatedthroughhisfast. FastingSubjugatesTheFlesh TheAmericanHeritageDictionaryOftheEnglishLanguagedefinesthewordsubjugateas,tobringunder dominion, conquer; subdue. It means to make subservient; enslave. The question that we must now ask ourselvesisWhydoweneedtoconquerorsubdueourflesh?Thecarnalmanorwoman(includingcarnal Christians)doesnotwanttheirfleshsubdued,rathertheywanttolettheirfleshrunwild,experiencingany, andeverythingthatitwants.TheChristianwhowantstowalkinthespiritmustunderstand,thatthegreater thesubjectionoftheflesh,thegreaterthedominionofthespirit.Whenthefleshissubdued,thenthespiritis aliveanddominant. Fastingcausesthefleshtobesubduedandthespiritmanorwomantobeempowered.Wewillexamine this point later in the lesson based on Luke 4:114. Many religions fast out of religious ceremony or to discipline their flesh alone, while the Christian fast by the Leading of the Holy Spirit, to both discipline the fleshandtobirthgreaterlevelsofspiritualpower,throughthedominionofthespiritperson. TheHolySpiritCanLeadYouIntoPeriodsOfFasting. TheHolySpiritcanleadyouintoperiodsoffastingtostrengthenyourAnointing,tobirthaministryinyou,or releaseyouintoGodsservice.Luke4:12givesusthisexample,itreads; And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended,heafterwardhungered. Jesus was led into the wilderness to fast by the Holy Spirit. The fasting crucified the desires of His flesh, causingagreaterlevelofspiritualpowertoflowfromHim. WhentheHolySpiritleadsyouintofasting,manywillnotunderstand,yetyoumustsubmittotheleading oftheHolySpirit.

WhatFastingAccomplishes

FastingGivesUs(TheChristian)TheStrengthToSubmitToTheWillOfGod. Whenourfleshisdominant,itoftencausesourrequesttoGodtobethoseofourdesiresandfleshlywants, ratherthanGodswill.WhenwefastandpraywegainthespiritualstrengthtosubmittoGodswill,dueto thefactthatthefleshissubdued,andthus,nothavingitsownway.WhenwearesubmittedtothewillofGod weoftenseeexpedientanswerstoprayer.ThisisbecauseinoursubmissiontoGod,webegintopraythewill of God, rather than the wants of the flesh. Whenever you pray Gods will, He quickly responds, because prayingHiswillisalwaystheperfectprayer,whichcausestheanswertocome. Fasting with prayer gets your mind off of earthly things causing you to become more heavenly minded, becausethespiritmanorwoman,whoisnowdominant,beginstomakespiritualthingsapriority.Oftenthe Church(BodyOfChrist)issoalivetotheflesh,thatwehaveunknowinglycrucifiedthespiritmanorwoman, causing us to be weak in spiritual things. This can be evident when you pray for the sick and you see no resultsofhealing.Yourspiritmanorwomanhasbeencrucified.Getyourspiritmanoffthecrossandput yourfleshthereinitsplace.Thespiritofapersongainslifeandstrengthasthefleshiscrucified.Galatians 5:1617says; ThisIsaythen,WalkintheSpirit,andyeshallnotfulfilthelustoftheflesh. ForthefleshlustethagainsttheSpirit,andtheSpiritagainsttheflesh:andthesearecontrarytheone totheother:sothatyecannotdothethingsthatyewould. TheBookofGalatianssaysthatyoucannotdothethingsthatyouwould.Whatarethosethingsthatyou woulddo?AllthingsassociatedwithwalkingintheSpirit,includingwalkinginthepowerofGod,and operatingintheGiftsoftheHolySpirit,justtonameafew. FastingGivesYouSpiritualStrength. Fastingisoneofthebestwaystocrucifytheflesh.Toomuchofthefleshandtheworld,causesaChristian tohavetoolittleoftheSpiritandpower.Fastingandprayingisaspiritstrengthener.Howdoesfastingand prayinggiveyouspiritualstrength?Again,theansweristhatitcrucifiestheflesh,causingthespiritmanor womantogaindominance.InMark9:29Jesusgivesthedisciplesadditionalinsightregardingwhytheycould notcastoutadumbspirit.Jesuspointedoutthatprayerandfastingwasnecessary,itreads; Andhesaiduntothem,Thiskindcancomeforthbynothing,butbyprayerandfasting. Why? Because fasting strengthens our dominion over our flesh, and thus increases our spiritual strength. Themoreyoucrucifytheflesh(notjustallfoodfast,butfromdelightfulfoods,andcarnalthingsasawhole, suchastelevision),thegreaterthespiritmanorwomanbecomes,ifyoufeeditfaithfood(theWordofGod). Beloved,whenyouarecrucifiedwithChrist,thenChristcanliveinyou.Galatians2:20says; I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I nowliveinthefleshIlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,wholovedme,andgavehimselfforme. Fastingtrulyhelpsyoucrucifytheworldanditsfleshydesires.Galatians6:14says; But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucifieduntome,andIuntotheworld. The reason many in the early Church moved in mighty power, was because the world was crucified unto them,andtheyhadlearnedtoliveandwalkinthespirit,byfastingandpraying. FastingCanCauseYouToSow(Plant)InTheSpirit. Fasting,becauseitcrucifiestheflesh,causesustosow(plant)inthespirit,whichinturnproducesspiritual fruit.Galatians6:79says; Benotdeceived;Godisnotmocked:forwhatsoeveramansoweth,thatshallhealsoreap. Forhethatsowethtohisfleshshallofthefleshreapcorruption;buthethatsowethtotheSpiritshall oftheSpiritreaplifeeverlasting. Andletusnotbewearyinwelldoing:forindueseasonweshallreap,ifwefaintnot. Whenourfleshiscrucifiedwedontsoworplantthingsinit,butwhatisrequiredtomaintainit,causingitnot toproduceaharvest(beleadbytheHolySpiritandnotwhatyouthink).Becausethefleshiscrucifiedthere is no successful battle being waged against our spirit, thus allowing us to sow or plant spiritual things

unhindered,whichinturnwillproduceabountifulspiritualharvest. FastingCanBringForth: PowerLuke4:115tellsusofJesusfastandtheresults,itreads; And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended,Heafterwardhungered. AndthedevilsaiduntoHim,ifthoubetheSonofGod,commandthisstonethatitbemadebread. And Jesus answered him saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every wordofGod. And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all the Kingdoms of the world inamomentoftime. Andthedevilsaidunto Him,allthispowerwillIgivetheeandthegloryofthem:forthatisdelivered untome;andtowhomeverIwillIgiveit. Ifthouthereforewillworshipme,allshallbethine. And Jesus answered and said unto Him, get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worshiptheLordthyGod,andHimonlyshaltthouserve. AndhebroughtHimtoJerusalem,andsetHimonapinnacleofthetemple,andsaiduntoHim,ifthou betheSonofGod,castthyselffromhence: Foritiswritten,HeshallgiveHisangelschargeoverthee,tokeepthee: Andintheirhandstheyshallbeartheeup,lestatanytimethoudashthyfootagainstastone. AndJesusansweringsaiduntohim,itissaid,thoushaltnottempttheLordthyGod. Andwhenthedevilhadendedallthetemptation,hedepartedfromHimforaseason. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through alltheregionroundabout. AndHetaughtintheirsynagogues,beingglorifiedofall. ThefastingcrucifiedJesusflesh,givingHimthespiritualstrengthtorejectthetemptationoftheenemy,and causingHimtobeempoweredbytheHolySpirit.IfyoudesiretowalkinthepowerofGod,Irecommendthat youseektheHolySpiritregardinghowHewantsyoutofast,andthensubmittoHisdirections. Revelation Daniel was seeking understanding and revelation regarding the captivity of his people. He begantoprayandfastregardingthematter,andGodsentananswer.Daniel9:14and9:2023says; 1InthefirstyearofDariusthesonofAhasuerus,oftheseedoftheMedes,whichwasmadekingover therealmoftheChaldeans; 2In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolationsofJerusalem. 3AndIsetmyfaceuntotheLordGod,toseekbyprayerandsupplications,withfasting,andsackcloth, andashes: 4And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 20AndwhilesIwasspeaking,andpraying,andconfessingmysinandthesinofmypeopleIsrael,and presentingmysupplicationbeforetheLordmyGodfortheholymountainofmyGod; 21Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,beingcausedtoflyswiftly,touchedmeaboutthetimeoftheeveningoblation. 22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill andunderstanding.

Atthebeginningofthysupplicationsthecommandmentcameforth,andIamcometoshowthee;for thouartgreatlybeloved:thereforeunderstandthematter,andconsiderthevision. After Daniel prayed and fasted regarding his people, God sent Gabriel to reveal to Him what was about to happen,thusgivinghimunderstanding. Impartation Fasting can build up a charge to impart to those being released and sent out into ministry serviceuntotheLord.Acts13:13says; Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herodthetetarch,andSaul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for theworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem. Andwhentheyhadfastedandprayed,andlaidtheirhandsonthem,theysentthemaway. FastinggavethemdirectionthroughtheHolyGhostregardingthecallonthelivesoftwoofthementhatwere with them. After they were given revelation regarding Saul and Barnabas, they fasted again, and laid their handsonthemimpartingtothemthechargeorpowernecessarytofulfillthecalloftheHolyGhostonthese twomenslives.Itisimportantthatyourealizethatthepeoplewhowerelayinghandsfasted,andthepeople (SaulandBarnabas)whoweregoingtoreceivethechargealsofasted.Bothpartiesfastedandnotjustone. Breakthrough God often hears our prayers and sends and answer immediately, yet it would seem that demonichindrancestrytostoptheanswersfromgettingtous.Thisiswhyitisimportanttoprayandfast until you get an answer. Daniel fasted for 21 days, which I believe gave him breakthrough regarding the answerthatGodhadsenttohim.Daniel10:13and10:1014says; 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, andhadunderstandingofthevision. 2InthosedaysIDanielwasmourningthreefullweeks. 3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, tillthreeweekswerefulfilled. 10And,behold,anhandtouchedme,whichsetmeuponmykneesanduponthepalmsofmyhands. 11And hesaiduntome,ODaniel,amangreatlybeloved,understandthewordsthatIspeakuntothee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13But the prince of the kingdoms of Persia withstood me one andtwentydays:but,lo,Michael, oneof thechiefprinces,cametohelpme;andIremainedtherewiththekingsofPersia. 14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the visionisformanydays. Breakthroughregardinganswerstoprayerisoftenaccomplishedbyextendedfasting. DontJustFastAlone! Duringtimesoffastingyoumuststrengthenyourspiritforittotrulybenefityou.Youdothisbypraying, readingGodsWord,confessingtheWord,memorizingandquotingtheWord,etc...TheWordofGodisquick (alive)andpowerful,andsoifyouaregoingtocrucifyyourflesh,thenyouneedtoputtheWordofGodin you,tostrengthenandbringtolifeyourspirit. WhenyoufastyoushouldbeseekingGodsFace(Hismind,wisdomanddirection).Whateveryouneedor areseekingtoaccomplishduringafast,youshouldseekGodsfacefordirection.Ezra8:2123;
23

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, toseekofhimarightwayforus,andforourlittleones,andforalloursubstance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king saying, The hand of our God is upon all them forgoodthatseekhim;buthispowerandhiswrathisagainstallthemthatforsakehim. SowefastedandbesoughtourGodforthis:andhewasintreatedofus. FastingshouldbeatimeinwhichwedrawclosertotheLord.Itshouldnotbeatimeinwhichwejuststop eating or doing things to discipline our flesh, rather a time in which we increase our pursuit of the Lord, removingallfleshlyobstaclesthathinderourrelationshipwithGod.TruefastingcausesGodtobecome the priorityinourlife. Examination. Fastingoftencausesapersontoexaminethemselves,toseethethings(sinsandhabits)thatarenotright inthesightofGod,thatneedtoberemoved.Thisinturncausesapersontorepentofknownandunknown sins(thesesinscanbeapersonsindividualsins,thesinsofagroupofpeople,oranation,aswithDanieland Nehemiah).Youshouldrepentforyoursinsandthesinsofthoseunderyourauthority,bothnaturallyand spirituallyduringtimesoffasting.Nehemiahfasted,prayedandacknowledgedthesinsofIsrael,thesinsof hisfathershouse,andHisownsins.Nehemiah1:47says; Anditcametopass,whenIheardthesewords,thatIsatdownandwept,andmournedcertaindays, andfasted,andprayedbeforetheGodofheaven, Andsaid,Ibeseechthee,OLordGodofheaven,thegreatandterribleGod,thatkeepethcovenantand mercyforthemthatlovehimandobservehiscommandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my fathers house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, northejudgments,whichthoucommandedstthyservantMoses. RepentancecausesGodsearstobeopentowardaperson.Isaiah59:12says; Behold, the Lords hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you,thathewillnothear. Fastingcausesrepentance(beingsorryandturningfromsins)andrepentancecausesGodseartobeopento ourprayers. YourFastingShouldHaveApurpose. Fastingisnotsomereligiousact,ratheritispurposedtoaccomplishsomething.Youneedtoknowwhy youarefasting.Oneofthebestreasonsweshouldfastisthesubjugationofourflesh,sothatourspiritperson can be dominant andsubmittedtothewillofGod.Godwilloftenleadyouonafast,burdeningyourheart withaparticularissueorgoal.NehemiahfastedforthecityofJerusalemanditswallstoberestored.Daniel fasted for understanding of the time of the end of the children of Israels captivity. You too, should have a purposedfast,evenifitstojusttokeepyourfleshinsubjection,sothatyourspiritmanorwomanwouldbe dominant. FastingCanHelpYouOvercomeHabitsAndSin. If you have things that you aretryingtoovercome,includinghabitsandsins,Isuggestthatyoubeginto fast, especially from food, as well as from the habit of sin. Again, Jesus fasted for forty days, which strengthened His Spirit man to overcome the temptations that the enemy was trying to seduce Him with.

Matthew4:12says; ThenwasJesusledupoftheSpiritintothewildernesstobetemptedofthedevil. Andwhenhehadfastedfortydaysandfortynights,hewasafterwardanhungered. InMatthew4:311weseethatJesusovercametheenemiestemptations.AlthoughHisfleshwashungryand probablyweak,HisSpiritManwasstrengthened,andfull,givingHimthepowerandfaithtocastdownthe devils offers and rebuke him. If you are going through struggles with sin, habits or addictions (including television,stealing,shopping,drugs,pornography,alcohol,etc..)thenyoushouldseekGodonhowyoushould fastforbreakthroughanddeliverance. FastingGetsOurEarsSensitiveToTheVoiceOfGod. Fastinghelpsuscrucifyourdesires,thoughts,ideas,andplansthatoftengetinthewayofushearingGods plansandthoughtsforus.Fastingkillsthefleshesdominantvoice,causingthespiritofGodtobeheard.This causesustobeabletohearGodsdirectionsandplansforusclearly.InActs13:2weseehowfastingmade thepeopleofGodsensitivetohearGodsdirections,itreads; As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for theworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem. FastingwillhelpyouhearthevoiceoftheLivingGod. TheEnemyAlwaysChallengesFasting. The enemy always challenges fasting, because heknowswhatitaccomplishes;breakthroughandpower. He(thedevil)knowsthatvictorycomesthroughthefastingChristian.Thedevilwilltryandtempttheflesh duringperiodsoffasting,todisqualifyyoufromtheplaceofrighteousnessthatfastingoftenbringsyouto.A personwhoisvictoriousoverthetemptationsduringperiodsoffasting,usuallycomesforthoperatinginthe poweroftheHolySpirit(Luke4:1314). If you have asked God for power and breakthrough, then you must understand that that power flows throughthespiritperson.Forittoflowunhinderedyourfleshmustbecrucified. Many Christians who are called to operate in the power of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit dont see themfunctioningintheirlives.Thisoftenisbecausetheirfleshisyetdominant,seekingglory,fame,fortune, notorietyandreputation.Fastingcankillthesefleshlydesiresandcauseapersontobequicklyusheredinto operating in the power and Anointing that God has called them to. Greater levels of Anointing and power happen as we fast and make room in our lives for the Holy Spirit. Remember, that the price for spiritual things,isthecrucifixionanddeathofmanynaturalthings. God is calling the Church back to fasting and prayer. We have too much of the world in us, to have the measure of the Holy Spirit that we need to be a demonstration of the Lord in the world. We must empty ourselvesofcarnalandworldlythingstobeavailabletobefilledwiththeHolySpirit. Fasting,alongwithprayer,willgiveyouthelongawaitedbreakthroughthatyouneed.Makeyourlifeone offastingfromthosethingsthatmakeyouspirituallyweak.Ifyouhavenotbeenfasting,thenbegin,andif you have been fasting, then raise your level of fasting. Fast until you get a breakthrough. Daniel is our example,Hefastedfor21days(Daniel10:2)untilhegotananswer.FastandPray! ByTheHolySpiritthroughBishopTonyOwens HouseOfDavidMinistriesInc.1(877)35JESUS