Unique Content Article: Fasting Defined

<h2 class = 'uawtitle'>Fasting Defined</h2><br />
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>by Roman White</div><br /><br />
<div class='uawarticle'>In the Christian Population there is much argument and contention about fasting , what makes up a biblical fast, and how to fast. There is frequently teaching put forth that says the abstaining from anything you like is just as much of a fast as not eating, and can reap the similar benefits. Well known teachers of the bible have proclaimed this theory with honourable intentions but actually no biblical foundation to sustain their claim.<br />
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According to the bible, fasting is always defined as not eating food in some fashion. The Greek and Hebrew words found in the bible that signify Fasting are defined as,"fast, fasting, or fasted". The 4th chapter of the record of James states,<br />
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"Draw near to our father, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."<br />
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Giving up television, computers, or facebook for a while so that I can follow the Lord means that I will find Him. The seeking of the Lord is rewarded with understanding of His character and might in our lives. But, there is no grounding to call this fasting - unless you redefine the total meaning of fasting!<br />
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Both the bible and secular dictionaries define fasting as refraining from food in some fashion for a certain number of time. In the bible it is constantly accompanied with a more focused prayer life as well. Its a forfeiture of what your body requires, so that you can acquire what your spirit requires even more.<br />
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There are a number of distinctive methods to fasting that we see in scripture (learn more here), as well as forms that have been accepted by our contemporary culture. Fasting is all about seeking god. Its a cry of the heart towards the Lord that only He is able to reply to.<br />
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FASTINGS BENEFITS<br />
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The rewards of fasting are due to an internal (spiritual) adjustment we can't view that allows for a manifested act of god we can see.<br />
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"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites doso that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." - Matthew 6:16 (NASB)<br />
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This warning even shows that fasting has its rewards. Jesus is basically saying that we shouldn't worry about the reward itself, but instead we should focus on humbling ourselves as we fast and He will reward us for all to understand. The reward could be the redemption of family, a It may just as easily be a maturity in our walk with Christ. But, all those things are done by the power of the lord. Its not so much that the heavenly father moves as we fast, but rather that we move out of the way.<br />
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Instituted by the Lord in things like, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Deuteronomy 16:16), fasting has been an age old, tried and tested system for positioning the heavenly father's people for the heaven-sent.<br />
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About the Author:<br />
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<div class='uawlinks'>Fasting is a intimidating endevour to do. Check out this article about <a href="http://tinyurl.com/bunab3l">how to fast</a> to overcome anxiety.</div><br />
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New Unique Article!<br />
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Title: Fasting Defined<br />
Author: Roman White<br />
Email: justhamp@gmail.com<br />
Keywords: how to fast, lent, fasting,religion, christian, intermittent fasting,fear, faith<br />
Word Count: 503<br />
Category: Motivation<br />
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