Fastings Often Blew Open the World

What was one of Paul's secrets of God's power? Fasting often: Jesus blew open the world to the Gospel of Grace.

(Image: dailyencouragement.wordpress)

 Why was his ministry so effective?    I see fasting as his major personal key.  He fasted at every important move.  All the time.  This is what he has to say through the Holy Spirit:

We read of his experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:27:  "IN LABOR AND TOIL, IN WATCHINGS OFTEN, IN HUNGER AND THIRST, IN FASTINGS OFTEN, IN COLD AND NAKEDNESS." Wow!  He was really qualified.  He suffered a lot for Jesus.  Look at what he did during his sufferings- fast.  We can learn that important lesson. By the way, fasting is never undertaken with out prayer.  Prayer is the key.  Add worship and you have a power packed day!!

These are some of the things Paul says verifies and empowers his ministry. 

(oneyearbibleblog.com)

He writes: "BUT IN EVERYTHING COMMENDING  OURSELVES AS SERVANTS OF GOD IN GREAT ENDURANCE, IN AFFLICTIONS, ..IN IMPRISONMENTS, ..IN WATCHINGS, IN FASTINGS; ..IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, IN SINCERE LOVE, IN THE WORD OF TRUTH, IN THE POWER OF GOD.."  (2 Corinthians 6:4-7 selected portions, WEB)   Sounds pretty exciting, huh?  Now we know some of the secrets of his power to spread the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus.  Paul suffered the loss of everything for the excellency, of knowing Jesus.  Knowing Jesus is the highest value on earth.  Humanities  greatest goal.

The power of the Gospel's spread through out the world was birthed in fasting. 
Acts 13:2,3

In the church in Antioch there were prophets and teachers... WHILE THEY WERE WORSHIPING THE LORD AND FASTING THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, "SET APART FOR ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM."  THEN AFTER FASTING AND PRAYING THEY LAID HANDS ON THEM AND SENT THEM OUT. (ESV) Notice how corporate fasting, praying, and worshiping Jesus was practiced in Antioch.  The rest is history.  Would to God that we could do that today.  That's taking Jesus seriously.  They knew the secret of power! Notice that prophets as well as teachers are part of the Body of Christ then, and still are today.  Notice that the Holy Spirit speaks, and He still does today!  JESUS, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.

We can learn a lot from Paul's example.  We can also say: TO LIVE IS CHRIST (TO LIVE FOR HIM), TO DIE IS GAIN (HEY, THAT'S EVEN BETTER, HEAVEN) Paul's Epistles.

Sid

 James is Jesus half  brother.  He instructs us in James 1:22  BUT BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOURSELVES.  (James 1:22 ESV)  So, let's do it!  Let's get some prayer power going.  Let's add some fasting.  How bout it?