1 Corinthians 9:27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
PRAYER AND FASTING ARE SUPERNATURAL AND BENEFIT US AS HUMAN BEINGS WHILE ON THIS EARTH
• But Stay in the Bible
• Or you may get on the wrong road
• DON’T SEEK THE SUPERNATURAL
o The Devil can give it to you
• SEEK JESUS NOT THE SUPERNATURAL
• Many a Christian has gotten messed up
o With Angels of Light
o False Holy Ghost voice
o Another Jesus and Another Gospel
2 Corinthians 11:4: For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:7 Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO GENUINE AND SINCERE WHEN DOING SPIRITUAL THINGS
JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO PRAY IN
Matthew 6:5-6: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you; they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
• This verse is not against praying in Public
• The issue in these scriptures is not where but why
• We do spiritual things towards the Lord
• Not for recognition or praise of people
• This type of recognition or praise is your “reward.”
JESUS ENCOURAGED US TO FAST IN:
Matthew 6:17-18: But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face;18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
The rest of those verses say: vs.19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Is our focus on the treasures and pleasures of this earth?
• Things that make us feel good
• Things that taste good
FASTING IS ABOUT DENYING OURSELVES FOR PERIODS OF TIME
• Some of these pleasures and treasures
• And focus on our spirit man and our relationship with the Lord
• Not for a selfish reason like “losing weight.”
• But to get closer to the Lord
Proverbs 25:28 – He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.