Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights. The Bible says that at the end, Jesus hungered. He was drinking water. After 3 days, the body starts breaking down without water.
I was taught that not fasting is sort of a reckless lifestyle. Regular fasting dissolves the glue stuck to the walls in our intestines. Fasting makes the body turn upon itself and "eat" up things that are unhealthy.
I fast to get direction from the Lord. I can do a week. God has helped me make hard decisions; He's given me insight on scripture meanings. I've had visions; word of wisdom; word of knowledge. It depends on what you are praying about prior to the fast.
Fast from food, Feed on the Bible.
However, the hardest fasts are to unplug all media. Put the phone on vibrate for emergencies only. Turn all the noise off. Make joyful song yourself, unto the Lord. You are totally free to hear what the Holy Spirit speaks to your spirit.
Satan doesn't want us to fast. You'd be surprised at all the "emergencies that can spring up." :/
Study how Jesus fought spiritually against Satan on that 40 day fast. How did He do the warfare?
This is how we break strongholds in our lives; or in someone else's life (that we are praying for). I think fasting is private and we don't brag about it or cry over glasses of water, when the family is in the kitchen eating meals. It's as unto the Lord.
If you're diabetic, you can still fast. Take your meds, but don't eat pleasant foods to keep yourself stable. Check your levels. Bouillon is warm and makes the body release the hormone that says you're full.
Fasts over a week: when you end it and begin to eat again, nothing real heavy at first. Your body has to awaken slowly for a few days.
Write down what you learn from the Lord during your fast.
The Bible tells us that we're all sinners & come short of God's Glory (God's perfection) Romans 3:23. And not one of us are righteous - not even one ( Romans 3:10). When we sin against a Holy God, the only payment we can make for our sin is to suffer death (physical death & eternal separation from God) Romans 6:23.
And this was to happen after our first parents, Adam & Eve, sinned against God. But God, in His great Love for mankind, His creation, stepped in with a solution to this sin problem. God can't overlook sin because sin is not from Him but from Satan. And since one way to make payment for sin was for the death of the sinner, the other way, which God planned, was for a substitute to take the place of the sinner. But that substitute had to be pure & perfect, which sinful man could not be (that means man cannot pay for his own sin). The only Substitute that would work for God was to send Jesus, His Son, to make the payment. However, that time was long coming as God had a purpose for withholding Him, so God instituted an animal sacrificial system for His people, Israel, as a temporary measure: so that they would acknowledge their sins & the need to pay for it through sacrifice.
Since that sacrifice was only temporary, at the right time, God sent Jesus to Earth to ultimately give up His Life for us sinners. But every sinner has to accept that offering & put their trust in Him ( John 3:16). So now there is no need for anymore sacrifices as Jesus was the Perfect & only One sent by God. So Jesus' shed Blood & broken Body was necessary to satisfy God for our sins & so we say that "our sins have been remitted" (our sins have been forgiven & removed & we're no longer accounted by God as being punishable ( Romans 3:23-25)); just like a judge on Earth declares a convicted person as no longer guilty & he is free to go. But just as the prisoner still has to pay for any crime he commits later, so a Christian who sins in error is accountable to God & seeks His forgiveness.
I agree with the comment made by John Madden from 5 years ago, that the Book, the Scriptures, should be our primary source, and not books that are written about the Bible, to understand what God has said.
In the Bible, women were never 'ordained' to any position in the Church, since the Church pattern is meant to follow the pattern of creation ( 1 Corinthians 11:3). However, we do see instances of women serving in the Church though not in the formal way of being appointed to the position as Elders are appointed. Examples such as Romans chapter 16, where Phebe, Priscilla & Mary are seen as having been helpful to the Church body or to Paul himself. Phebe particularly is spoken of as a 'servant of the Cenchrean Church' where she served in some way. However, Paul didn't allocate a title to her, as he spoke of deacons in Philippians 1:1 & 1 Timothy chapter 3, to which he was referring to men fulfilling that role.
So in my understanding, that although women were never given a position of 'deaconess' in the early Church, their contribution to the life & ministry to the Church was well reported of & greatly appreciated. And after all, the position or work of a deacon was essentially to carry out the 'other types of work' that would free up the apostles ( Acts 6:1-6), & no doubt later, to help the elder/pastor by performing these other duties. In their desire to allocate titles to every one that has an 'official duty' to perform, many Churches today have appointed both deacons & deaconesses to fulfil this need. This may not be altogether wrong, if the main reason for doing so, is for the serving the Body of Christ & being useful in building her up.
Gregory, you are correct that God's Name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. And of course, the Jews, as in any era of their history, had some who obeyed God & others who didn't. However, you are correct in your observations by reading through the Book, that the evidence of God's Plan was very evident & being performed & His people were ultimately freed from their enemies ( Esther 9:22).
It is often pointed out the book of Esther never mentions God or prayer insinuating that the Jews were not close to God. But in ch4: 1- 3 Mordecai and the Jews put on sack clothe and ashes, weeping, wailing, and fasted. All of these Old Testiment Jewish practices used to appeal to the God of Israel for help. Esther herself fasted 3 days before addressing the king regarding the plight of her Jewish kindred. Who do you think they all were seeking help from? It becomes obvious that God was very much part of their Jewish life. If not stated in words, then clearly implied.
What happened with Queen Esther, Haman’s plan to Obliterate Jewish Nation. Hitler: The more things change; the more they stay the same; at present much worse. Nations: Kingdoms: Organizations: Cults: Movements: you name it are all plotting to do same, and even worse to the Jewish Nation. God and Israel’s enemies determined to make plans work. Israel no PEACE for Centuries: Why Israel? GODS CHOSEN!
Verse 13~Mordecai told Esther that just because she was the queen did not mean that she would escape. This matter meant life or death for Esther and all the Jews. Esther could use her royal position as a way to plead in behalf of her people.
Esther Was a Courageous woman of God! She had No doubt what our God can do! Sadly to say many dont believe or have the Faith to Be Strong, because they dont know God's WORD! GOD gives favor! She fasted and Prayed and God Answered! Its not being taught from the pulpit, People are not being discipled...Joshua said several time "Be Courageous..."
We have a commandment to stand up, like Ester, for our persecuted family of believers. Go on missions to poor countries, helping Christians. May the USA again, be one nation under God, ready to cease evil slaughter of Christians. What shall God think and do if we stand idle as our brothers die? May God unite our country under his guidance, Amen. Kurt.
She was a good woman ad a fight woman and she was determine to do what she need to do for her husband .She was not afraid but she knew what could have happen to her but she say I still going to fight her battle .Esther going to stand up for the man that helps her do good
Esther was obedient, chosen by God to deliver her people.She obtained favour from God because she was humble and obedient. When we humble ourselves, God promotes us. Trusting in God gives victory over any situation. I have learned a lot from the account of Esther and I love it.
I was taught that not fasting is sort of a reckless lifestyle. Regular fasting dissolves the glue stuck to the walls in our intestines. Fasting makes the body turn upon itself and "eat" up things that are unhealthy.
I fast to get direction from the Lord. I can do a week. God has helped me make hard decisions; He's given me insight on scripture meanings. I've had visions; word of wisdom; word of knowledge. It depends on what you are praying about prior to the fast.
Fast from food, Feed on the Bible.
However, the hardest fasts are to unplug all media. Put the phone on vibrate for emergencies only. Turn all the noise off. Make joyful song yourself, unto the Lord. You are totally free to hear what the Holy Spirit speaks to your spirit.
Satan doesn't want us to fast. You'd be surprised at all the "emergencies that can spring up." :/
Study how Jesus fought spiritually against Satan on that 40 day fast. How did He do the warfare?
This is how we break strongholds in our lives; or in someone else's life (that we are praying for). I think fasting is private and we don't brag about it or cry over glasses of water, when the family is in the kitchen eating meals. It's as unto the Lord.
If you're diabetic, you can still fast. Take your meds, but don't eat pleasant foods to keep yourself stable. Check your levels. Bouillon is warm and makes the body release the hormone that says you're full.
Fasts over a week: when you end it and begin to eat again, nothing real heavy at first. Your body has to awaken slowly for a few days.
Write down what you learn from the Lord during your fast.
Amen
And this was to happen after our first parents, Adam & Eve, sinned against God. But God, in His great Love for mankind, His creation, stepped in with a solution to this sin problem. God can't overlook sin because sin is not from Him but from Satan. And since one way to make payment for sin was for the death of the sinner, the other way, which God planned, was for a substitute to take the place of the sinner. But that substitute had to be pure & perfect, which sinful man could not be (that means man cannot pay for his own sin). The only Substitute that would work for God was to send Jesus, His Son, to make the payment. However, that time was long coming as God had a purpose for withholding Him, so God instituted an animal sacrificial system for His people, Israel, as a temporary measure: so that they would acknowledge their sins & the need to pay for it through sacrifice.
Since that sacrifice was only temporary, at the right time, God sent Jesus to Earth to ultimately give up His Life for us sinners. But every sinner has to accept that offering & put their trust in Him ( John 3:16). So now there is no need for anymore sacrifices as Jesus was the Perfect & only One sent by God. So Jesus' shed Blood & broken Body was necessary to satisfy God for our sins & so we say that "our sins have been remitted" (our sins have been forgiven & removed & we're no longer accounted by God as being punishable ( Romans 3:23-25)); just like a judge on Earth declares a convicted person as no longer guilty & he is free to go. But just as the prisoner still has to pay for any crime he commits later, so a Christian who sins in error is accountable to God & seeks His forgiveness.
So in my understanding, that although women were never given a position of 'deaconess' in the early Church, their contribution to the life & ministry to the Church was well reported of & greatly appreciated. And after all, the position or work of a deacon was essentially to carry out the 'other types of work' that would free up the apostles ( Acts 6:1-6), & no doubt later, to help the elder/pastor by performing these other duties. In their desire to allocate titles to every one that has an 'official duty' to perform, many Churches today have appointed both deacons & deaconesses to fulfil this need. This may not be altogether wrong, if the main reason for doing so, is for the serving the Body of Christ & being useful in building her up.
It was interesting to read.