After being out last week, I reflected on the various events which took place. FATHER spoke to me first thing one morning and alerted me to the need to focus on being more sensitive to THE SPIRIT in the days ahead. There are many subtle occurrences which will require us to pay attention to as we navigate the increasing chaos of the world system. This sensitivity is required to keep us from being swept into their time of judgment.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Jesus did not say “if” but “when” you fast in the above passage. This would indicate to us that fasting should be a part of our life today. In its simplest form, fasting is denying the body of food and/or drink but we should consider the purpose of fasting is to become more spiritually sensitive be removing the focus on the natural. We should take command of our natural appetites and tendencies so that we can focus on the supernatural and allow ourselves to ascend to a higher state.
In these times, fasting can and should include anything which keeps our attention on the natural. While sitting in the airport, I found that majority of the people were glued to their cell phones and were oblivious to their surroundings. What would happen if the cellular network went down for a day? What would these people do instead? If our focus is constantly directed to technology, how are we able to be sensitive to The Holy Spirit?
In Matthew chapter 17, Jesus mentioned fasting again:
14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,
15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”
18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Jesus revealed the need to spend time in communion with FATHER and separating oneself from the physical. If we find ourselves unfruitful and sense our faith is lacking then we should consider fasting in the area which is causing us to be “de-sensitized” from being led by THE SPIRIT. Eliminating distractions and spending quality time with FATHER will cause our faith to grow strong and allow us to deal with issues in a confident manner.