Time For Your Secret Weapon?

Matthew 6:18 NIV - So that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

You will reach a time and place in life where you become so stuck that despite your prayers, nothing will work. When you are facing a mountain of obstacles that refuses to move, regardless of what you pray or declare.

This is often a time when you are stuck between life seasons, and for way too long. You'll know if you are there. This message won't just speak to you, it will scream at you. If you've been asking God for what you should do, this is what you should do!

It's time to bring out the big guns, your secret weapon. FASTING.

You'll find stories of fasting throughout Bible.

- Ezra fasted

- Elijah fasted

- Moses fasted

- Nehemiah fasted

- Ahab fasted

- Esther fasted

- Daniel fasted

- David fasted

- Jonah fasted

- Anna fasted

- Cornelius fasted

- The disciples fasted

- Paul fasted

- And Jesus fasted

If Jesus thought He needed to fast, perhaps so should you.

In Matthew 6, the duties of every Christ-follower is Generosity, Prayer and Fasting. I call it the trifecta. And throughout the Bible people fasted for breakthroughs, understanding God's will, opening doors, miraculous provision, favor and a deeper intimacy with God.

There was a time when the disciples tried to drive out a demon from a demon-possessed boy but they couldn't heal him. So they asked Jesus why.

Matthew 17:19-21AMP - Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”

There will be times when your mountain of obstacles will not move unless you FAST.

- when you've been without a job for an extended period of time

- when your business revenue has been flat, declining or non-existent

- when you are battling sickness or disease

- when you are battling satan's strongholds or addictions

- when you are believing for the salvation of a loved one

- when you are trying to save your marriage or an important relationship

Fasting is a secret source of power ignored by many believers. Why? Sometimes ignorance or pride. Many believers who have never fasted think fasting is no longer biblical, or for everyone else except them. They have beliefs but are too prideful to allow the Bible to get in the way of them. Ha!

I didn't start fasting until about four years ago. In my case I was just ignorant. I knew about fasting, but I just didn't feel like it was for me. One of my best friends was always talking about fasting but I thought he was too fanatical. That is until I reached a point in my life where I was facing certain mountains that wouldn't move. I knew something was different and I began asking God for what to do.

The Holy Spirit began instructing me to fast. At first I fought the idea because the thought of missing meals seemed way too extreme for me. But at some point my desperation kicked in and I decided to be obedient to what God was calling me to do.

Was fasting easy for me? No, not at all. I failed a bunch of fasts. It was almost comical. I would boldly tell my wife I would be fasting and not eating that day. And then when the smell of dinner drifted through the house, I gave into King-Stomach. Over and over this happened.

But I asked God to help me fast, and He did. I learned how to fast and learned obedience in this area. I am by no means an expert in this area, but if you are facing some mountains that need to be moved, just ask God if you should fast. Simple.

There are many ways to fast, here are three great resources for you:

The Jericho Fast by Rhoda Faye Diehl:  Click Here 

Fasting by Jentezen Franklin: Click Here 

Jentezen Franklin Fasting Website: Click Here 

If I can learn how to fast, so can you! I pray God will give you the grace to fast and see the needed breakthroughs in your life.

-Gerald