Open Heaven 3 May 2022
MEMORISE: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” – (1 Corinthians 9:25)
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air;
27. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Fasting may seem difficult for many people, but there are benefits therein, if only you can control your belly. Firstly, fasting is a means of keeping your flesh under control. The fellow a who fast often, accompanying it with Bible study and prayer, will find it easier to live holy. If you check yourself and see that you are beginning to entertain lust once in a while, that means sin is beginning to look enticing to you; declare a fast for yourself.
As you fast, your spirit will gain better control of your flesh and then the lust will die. The reason many people have fallen from grace is that they do not fast often. I have heard some say that Jesus has finished all, fasting inclusive, on the cross. How about Paul the Apostle who wrote in (2 Corinthians 11:27) that he fasted often? He was the same one who said in (1 Corinthians 9:27) that he put his body under subjection.
You want your body to remain under the control of the Holy Spirit? Then you must fast often. Galatians 5:16 says the only way to not fulfil the lusts of the flesh is to walk in the Spirit and that can only happen through fasting. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. – (Galatians 5:16)
When you fast, your appetite is under control and the ability to control your appetite is a major factor in determining how much dominion you can have in this world. In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau could not control his appetite and as a result, he lost his birthright. While Esau was very desperate and willing to exchange his birthright for some food, Jacob recognised that it was a day for him to fast.
He gave up his pottage to Esau and even added bread to it. When you have no control over your belly, you are sacrificing your dominion on the altar of food. Many people are not fulfilling their destinies because they don’t fast. Commit to subduing the flesh today through regular fasting and you will live victoriously in the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the grace to fast often, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 24-26
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Benefits of Fasting – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 3 May 2022
