[ad_1]
Fasting during Lent has a a lot deeper meaning than merely giving up dessert or snacks, an evangelist instructed Fox News Digital.
“When we fast, we’re practicing an ancient discipline designed by God to draw us near to Him through surrender,” John Heerema, CEO of Biglife, instructed Fox News Digital. Heerema lives in Atlanta.
Biglife is a ministry devoted to “reaching lost souls by shining Christ’s light into the world’s darkest places,” its web site signifies, and has a presence in over 160 nations.
MUSIC OF LENT HELPS PREPARE CHRISTIANS FOR EASTER, SAYS DOMINICAN FRIAR, BLUEGRASS MUSICIAN
In scripture, fasting is finished for a lot of causes: for mourning, as an act of searching for knowledge and steering, and for empowerment within the face of temptation, stated Heerema.
“When we look at fasting in scripture, two common themes emerge,” he stated.
John Heerema, the Atlanta-based CEO of Biglife, reveals why fasting is an efficient apply during Lent — and it goes beyond simply giving up dessert. (Kristen Chapman/iStock)
The first theme is that “disciplined fasting means practicing humility before God,” stated Heerema.
“As Jesus says, fasting is meant to be private because His focus was on the eternal mindset of fasting to unite ourselves to the Father through the act of surrender, not the admiration and sympathy that the scribes and Pharisees chased after.”
HERE ARE 4 BLESSINGS PEOPLE CAN RECEIVE DURING LENT, SAYS CALIFORNIA PASTOR
Fasting, Heerema stated, “teaches us to let go of inward selfishness and rely solely on upward providence.”
And “by permitting God to maintain our wants, we’re experiencing the freedom [that] Christ describes in Matthew,” he stated.
“By allowing God to sustain our needs, we’re experiencing the freedom Christ describes in Matthew.”
The second theme, Heerema instructed Fox News Digital, is that the act of fasting invokes the Holy Spirit.
This is seen in each the Old and New Testaments.
“When Daniel committed himself to fasting, an angel of the Lord appeared to him to empower him. When the apostles committed themselves to fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to the group and launched Paul’s and Barnabas’ mission.”
‘SPRING TRAINING’ FOR CHRISTIANS IS WHAT LENT IS ALL ABOUT, SAYS COLLEGE CHANCELLOR IN COLORADO
Heerema continued, “Then, the group prayed and fasted again before sending them on their mission to Cyprus. An 84-year-old prophetess named Anna committed herself to prayer and fasting, then met the Messiah she had been waiting for face to face and was immediately empowered to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.”
The act of fasting must be performed with the Holy Spirit in thoughts, stated a religion chief based mostly in Georgia. (iStock)
When Christians quick, they need to actually take into consideration their causes for doing so, stated Heerema.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“Are we expecting the Holy Spirit to move in mighty ways like these? Are we just hoping to be more aware of God throughout our day — or do we have faith that the Spirit will clarify God’s will and empower us to act obediently?” he stated.
With Christ’s resurrection from the useless, “now is the time for us, His disciples, to commit ourselves to fasting and rid ourselves of our stubbornness to anticipate His arrival.” (iStock)
If individuals are fasting “to lose a few pounds,” they’re going about it the unsuitable method, he stated.
This mentality would imply individuals aren’t “opening ourselves to the expectation that when we commit ourselves to prayer and fasting, God transforms our hearts and minds to become more like Him.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
With Christ’s resurrection, “now is the time for us, His disciples, to commit ourselves to fasting and rid ourselves of our stubbornness to anticipate His arrival,” stated Heerema.
“When we fast, may we be reminded that we aren’t just ‘giving up dessert for Lent’ — we are wholly, humbly and obediently surrendering our entire selves to our mighty Creator and inviting Him to guide our every step!”
For extra Lifestyle articles, go to www.foxnews.com/way of life.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink