READ: LUKE
2:36-38
Christians
engage in fasting for one reason or the other. Some fast so as to lose weight.
Some to silence the flesh in order to receive a particular blessing they desire
for themselves, their families or loved ones. Most of these are geared towards
receiving something from God.
Fasting can take another dimension. Do you know you can actually serve God through fasting? In Acts 13:1-3, we are told of a group of prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch who came together out of their love for God and appreciation of His mercies, to minister to God in fasting. They were not fasting for anointing, healing or any other blessing but just to say, ‘Father, thank You for Your mercies.’ The Holy Ghost was pleased with their sacrifice of praise, worship and thanksgiving and accepted it.
Unknown to them, the Holy Spirit had sought for men to be given an apostolic mission which will take them throughout most parts of the world. They earned the greatest and biggest assignment when they were busy serving God selflessly, through thanksgiving fasting.
In today’s reading, we see Anna, a prophetess in the temple. She was a widow but was now married to God. At the age of 84, she was in the temple serving God both night and day through fasting and prayer. Are you a widow or widower? How much time do you give in serving God?
It is time to serve God. Set aside some days to fast, praise and thank God and worship the beauty of His holiness. This is a sweet smelling sacrifice. The uncommon blessings come through such selfless and highly devoted service. Henceforth before embarking on supplication fast, start with thanksgiving fast. A well packaged and wholehearted thanksgiving fast may make supplication fast unnecessary.
Fasting can take another dimension. Do you know you can actually serve God through fasting? In Acts 13:1-3, we are told of a group of prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch who came together out of their love for God and appreciation of His mercies, to minister to God in fasting. They were not fasting for anointing, healing or any other blessing but just to say, ‘Father, thank You for Your mercies.’ The Holy Ghost was pleased with their sacrifice of praise, worship and thanksgiving and accepted it.
Unknown to them, the Holy Spirit had sought for men to be given an apostolic mission which will take them throughout most parts of the world. They earned the greatest and biggest assignment when they were busy serving God selflessly, through thanksgiving fasting.
In today’s reading, we see Anna, a prophetess in the temple. She was a widow but was now married to God. At the age of 84, she was in the temple serving God both night and day through fasting and prayer. Are you a widow or widower? How much time do you give in serving God?
It is time to serve God. Set aside some days to fast, praise and thank God and worship the beauty of His holiness. This is a sweet smelling sacrifice. The uncommon blessings come through such selfless and highly devoted service. Henceforth before embarking on supplication fast, start with thanksgiving fast. A well packaged and wholehearted thanksgiving fast may make supplication fast unnecessary.
MEMORIZE:
PSALM 100:2 –Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
