Fasting Questions

[Waas]

I still have to bother you on my question on fasting.
1. Is it ok to drink tea with milk while on a fast ?

2. The fasting that was observed by Jesus and Moses only involved WATER.
Where does it say that we could go by drinking fruit juices ? How did this get involved with fasting ?

[Michael]

Waas, Many thanks for your questions on the subject of fasting. As you probably know this subject is treated in several books and numerous articles.

At this point I will make only 2 comments:-

#1 When the flesh is weak by fasting, the Spirit becomes strong. see Gal.5: 17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

#2 There are several types of fast, eg total, partial and Daniel fast. There also different periods 1, 3, 7, 21, 40 days etc. There are also individual and corporate fasts. The question in all this subject is what is God calling you to do?

Hope this helps,

Michael.

[Michael]

Bill Bright says,
" I personally recommend and practice water and juice fasting, especially if you are going to fast for an extended period of time. This type of fast will provide you with more energy than absolute or water-only fasts and still lead you into the humbling experience of denying your desire for solid food that you can chew."

He has a series of articles on the subject; one is at:-

www.billbright.com/howtofast/howlong.html

Michael

[five10]

Check out the following site it has good info.

www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/fasting/


five10

[Michael]

Five10, any words of wisdom from your research and / or practical experience on fasting?

Shalom,

Michael

[Michael]

The days of the Purim Esther Mandate Fast - The Cry - are March 5 - 7, 2004.
1. The Origin and Description of Purim

The celebration of Purim originated out of the decrees of Mordecai and Queen Esther (Est. 9:29-32). It was a time when intervention arose through desperate acts of prayer and fasting led by Queen Esther to over turn the decree for the annihilation of the Jewish people inspired by Haman. Haman's evil plot was revealed, the tables were turned and he was hung on his own gallows. The events took place historically roughly between 483 to 471 B. C. According to the Jewish calendar, Purim is held in the month of Adar, which usually falls in February or March. Moses was born in Adar. It is also the month when the Jewish leader of the Maccabees defeated the Syrians and the month when the orders were given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem preceding the reconstruction of the Temple and first return of the Jewish people to Israel. Redemptively, the period of time known as Adar has been a time when intervention comes out of crisis. Although Purim was founded in biblical times, its observation is not commanded by God as are the holy convocations mentioned in Leviticus 23.

2. Haman's Lineage Exposed

King Ahasuerus unfortunately promoted a man who eventually became one of Israel's all-time worst enemies. His name was Haman, and he is described as the "son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" (Est. 3:1).Haman's lineage is significant to the history of Purim. He was a descendant of Agag, who was a king of the Amalekites in the days of Saul and Samuel. Saul defeated Agag but disobeyed the Lord by allowing him to live. The prophet Samuel rebuked King Saul for his disobedience then "hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord" (1 Sam. 15:33). Being an Amalekite, Agag was part of the group of people who were long-term enemies of Israel. Because of their treatment of the children of Israel in the days of Moses, God declared war on Amalek "from generation to generation" (Ex. 17:16). In Jewish teaching, Amalek is seen as the epitome of anti-Semitism. Haman therefore had a heritage of enmity toward the Jewish people. As the book of Esther unfolds, we see how Haman was used to exhibit this generational hatred toward God's Chosen People. The problem is that this ancient, malevolent spirit has plagued our planet throughout the generations. It has no regard for human reason, logic, good intentions or mere religious pursuits. This dark spirit of anti Christ, anti-Semitism-or what may be called "the spirit of Haman," is on the loose once again.


Haman cast lots a form of divination, sorcery and witchcraft.

there is a parallel with the Muslem sorcery.

3. The Mordecai Anointing - A Quote From Exodus Cry Book

The Holy Spirit wants to inject the burden of the Lord for purposes of God among the Jewish people into the global prayer movement, like a nurse with a fully loaded needle. We need a potent injection of God's heart into our heart! That is why God wants to raise up a Mordecai anointing to prepare Esther for a time of intervention. We know what Esther accomplished, but what was Mordecai's task? What was his divine assignment?

Mordecai's job was to raise up and prepare Esther for her hour of influence before the king. Mordecai raised Esther as his own daughter. He did not bow down or pay homage to Haman, who sought the destruction of the Jews, but only worshipped the one true God. He intercepted Haman's scheme of the enemy and revealed it with wisdom to those in authority. He walked in prophetic counsel and instilled courage into Esther. Esther, properly tutored and mentored by the counsel of Mordecai, seized the moment through prayer and fasting. Esther was anointed to intervene and stand in the gap, yet she had to walk in cooperation with the preparation of Mordecai, the spiritual authority God had placed in her life. God chose to work through Mordecai to alert Esther to her destiny and timing of her intercessory acts on behalf of the Jews. God is looking for modern day Mordecai's to prepare His people for such a time as this!


4. The Esther Mandate - 12 Scriptural Points

The following 12 points are taken from chapters 2 - 5 of the book of Esther.

Esther: 2:7 - She was adopted and raised by Mordecai
Esther 2:10 - She received instruction from his oversight
Esther 2:11 - Mordecai watched over her progress
Esther 2:19 - Mordecai sat at the King's Gate
Esther 2:20 - She remained under his authority
Esther 2:22 - The plot was revealed as they walked together
Esther 3:2 - Mordecai would not bow down to Haman
Esther 4:1 - Mordecai fasted, wept and mourned before all
Esther 4:4,5 - He refused false comfort and remained resolute
Esther 4:14 - The admonishment to accept the appointment
Esther 4:15, 16 - Her reply, "If I perish, I perish!"
Esther 5:2 - She thus obtained favor with the King


5. The Cry Continues to Arise

Every year I am calling on Christians to sacrifice our time, our comfort and our agendas to undertake a three-day Esther Mandate Fast at Purim. This spiritual investment of the Worldwide Prayer Movement in the global body of Christ will not fail. It will bring about nothing less than "God's will on earth as it is in heaven" for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel.

Join thousands of others as they seek the face of God once again as a bride prepared for her king. The days of the Purim Esther Mandate Fast - The Cry - are March 5 - 7, 2004.