Luke 5:33-39
Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting
33 Then they said to Him, “Why[a] do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”
34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”
36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one [b]puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, [c]and both are preserved. 39 And no one, having drunk old wine, [d]immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is [e]better.’ ”
Jesus' time on earth was a time of joyous blessings. Of course a time will come when His followers will practice THE FAST ... ( see also Matthew 9:14-17; and Mark 2:20)
Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting to Be Seen Only by God
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the[a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [b]openly.
Keeping a SAD COUNTENANCE to show off your fasting is for external display. Jesus is rejecting such hypocrisy ... When we fast , it's the compassion of God that outshines the physical discomfort. Fasting isn't about abstaining from food or certain foods, but it consist of self denial in all areas of our lives . This helps us to escape the control of passions that can lead us into temptation of sinning.
Prayer focus from the devotional
Ask God to reveal any misguided thinking you have in regard to the practice of your faith, and ask Him to show you how to truly posture your heart to learn and receive more from Him each day.
Moving Forward question from the devotional
What spiritual disciplines do you practice and why do you practice them??? My three are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These three help me get closer to God and they keep humble and compassionate and they keep seeking our Creator looking for much deeper relationship with Christ our God.
In what ways have you misunderstood disciplines like fasting, tithing and praying, and attending church??? See my video for my answer.
What is something that, if you fasted from it, would result in emptiness you could fill with more time with God??? See my video for my answer.
Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
In Christ love Jared W Campbell
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