Chapter 4-Every Assignment Has a Birthplace- "Fasting"

Don't forget, read the passages that are listed. I hope this is helpful to all of you who are interested in learning more about fasting. That's why reading the passages are so crucial. Enjoy! For those of you just tuning in...these are my notes taken directly from the book, "Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin

John 10:27-28

If you are a parent reading this book, I want you to know that even children can begin to understand these concepts, and it is important that they learn them at a young age.

...it was during a 3-day fast that God revealed His assignment for my life. I was praying and seeking His will. That is when He called me to preach.

Every assignment, every call of God, every direction from Him starts somewhere. God has specific assignments for your life. But how do you discover them?

The answer can be found in the appeal Paul made to the Romans: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1). Remember the 3 Christian duties I covered in the first chapter? Giving, praying and fasting. That is how you "present" your body to God as a "living" sacrifice. Fasting keeps you sensitive to His Spirit, enabling you to live holy. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2)

I am convinced that we will never walk in the perfect will of God until we seek Him through fasting. Paul was fasting when God called him and shared the assignment for his life
(Acts 9:7-9). Peter was fasting on the rooftop when God gave him a new revelation and called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Fasting prepares the way for God to give you fresh revelation, fresh vision, and clear purpose.

Joel 2:28

What are we waiting for when we read scriptures like 2 Chronicles 7:14? Can you imagine if believers in America really took hold of this, if they humbled themselves (fasted) and prayed? God would heal our nation and send revival!

Fasting is what prepares you for a new anointing.

But if He is going to pour out new wine, our wineskins will have to change.

Mark 2:22

...if you look at this passage, Jesus had just finished telling the Pharisees that His disciples would fast once He was gone. Fasting is what prepares you for a new anointing (vs 20). If you want new wine, new miracles, new closeness, new intimacy with Him, then it's time to call a fast and shed that old skin for the new.

Fasting is a tremendous weapon and a source of power in the life of a believer...I am not the greatest preacher; I don't have the brilliant mind that some have, but God said He is no respecter of persons. When you honor and worship God by presenting your body as a living sacrifice through fasting, you too will know His assignments for your life.

2 Chron. 20:3-4, 13, 15, 17!!!!!!!!!

Do you want God to tell you what you need to do at this time in your life? Fast, worship, and seek Him. Be still and see the salvation of the Lord! I'm ready for some of those victories where it takes me longer to bring the victory home than it took to fight the battle! Press in like Jehoshaphat in times of great distress--you and your whole family, perhaps even your entire church. God will deliver you and show you His plan!

SATAN HATES WHEN YOU FAST

Satan gets disturbed--and defeated--when you decide to do more than be a Sunday-morning Christian. He has probably tried repeatedly to distract you from reading this chapter already. The devil knows fasting releases God's power.

Have you ever wondered why, of all things, Satan tempted Jesus at the end of His fast by provoking Him to turn stones into bread? ...Jesus came to serve others, not Himself. Further, He was determined to complete the fast God had called Him to finish. Jesus knew that some of the benefits of fasting cannot be released otherwise--and so did the devil! When Jesus returned from that 40-day fast, He immediately began to do mighty miracles, "healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). Satan needed to get Jesus focused on His appetite because if he didn't, Jesus was going to receive power from God that would change the world.

John 10:10

Do you think the enemy wants you to believe that nothing is impossible for you? He knows he is defeated, but he doesn't want you to know it or to walk in that realm of God's power. That is why it is so crucial for him to get you distracted. Don't allow the enemies in your life to cause you to focus more on your appetite or circumstances than on the promises of God that are released when you employ the powerful weapon of fasting.