GOD'S MINISTRY

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH

BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Rev. Mr. and Mrs. H. Dean Daniels Sui Juris

 

E-mail: gods-ministry@hdd-gods-ministry.com

Web-site: http://www.hdd-gods-ministry.com/

FASTING & PRAYER - PART III

 

This lesson is for the born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ,

those that have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God!

 

After Salvation has taken place, the individual has repented of their sins and have confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and especially water baptism has taken place, which is an outward sign of an inward cleansing and even more glorious yet, is being baptized in and with the Holy Ghost and with fire according to (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:4; Matt. 3:11, 29:19; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-13)

 

Matthew 17:21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 

[this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting] Implying different kinds of Satanic, demonic spirits (familiar spirits) and the different degrees of power required for humans beings to cast them out.

 

John 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

 

[measure] Different measures of the Spirit:

 

1.   Mosaic portion (Numbers 11:17, 25)

2.   Mosaic portion divided into 71 portions (Numbers 11:16-17, 25-29)

3.   Elijah portion (2 Kings 2:9)

4.   Double portion (2 Kings 2:9-10)

5.   Elijah portion on John the Baptist (Luke 1:15-17)

6.   Earnest of the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5; 1 John 4:13; Phil. 1:19)

7.   The Spirit "without measure" (John 3:34; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-21; Acts 10:38); Spirit baptism or baptismal measure (Matthew 3:11; Matthew 20:22-23; Luke 3:16; John 1:31-34; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-21; Acts 8:15-24; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:14-18; Acts 15:7-11; Acts 19:1-7; Galatians 3:14); the fulness of God (Ephes. 3:19; Romans 15:29); the rivers of living water (John 7:37-39); and the full anointing of the Spirit and enduement of power from on high (Luke 24:49; John 14:12-15)

 

Fasting and Prayer - The Cure for Unbelief

 

The disciples asked the Lord why they could not heal a lunatic boy. Jesus said, "Because of your unbelief ... Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:14-21). Faith needs prayer for its development and full growth, and prayer needs fasting for the same reason. Fasting has done wonders when used in combination with prayer and faith. This is a Biblical doctrine;

 

My personal interjection to this section (topic)!

 

The individual’s spirit, soul and body

 

While awake (conscious), the physical body (stomach) receives food by mouth. The physical body being in correlation with the human spirit and soul naturally fasts while asleep and causes the body to lose weight physically, even while the individual is sleeping and during this time, the body is still using, feeding (burning calories) and is also receiving or achieving its nourishment of which it has/had received or attained while being physically fed and being consciously awake, unless the body was being feed intravenously (medically).

 

When fasting and praying

(Step by step procedure)

 

Fasting normally begins with the first day of cleansing the bowel(s) by eating a light salad (fiber) with a small amount of olive oil dressing, something that will push the bowel through the body cleansing the intestines with nothing hard to digest. Then the second day, the individual should eat something lighter yet, such as jello or a light pudding with the intake of liquids such as water. The continual intake of liquids such as water should always be received with a fast. No cream or sugar (food supplement(s)) with either the liquids pertaining to the fast. The human body should never be more than “three days” without the intake of fresh water, because the human body “does dehydrate” rather quickly and can die without the intake of proper liquids for living. However, the human body can be sustained for great lengths of time (normally thirty days or more) WITH the intake of fresh water and that is dependent upon the individual’s ability to retain water within the individual’s body and is also conditional to many things involved respectfully.

 

When, deliberate fasting and prayer unto the Heavenly Father takes place for the intended purpose of being “more” obedient unto God, the individual can receive more instructions from The Holy Ghost because the body becomes more sensitive (aware) and alert unto The Holy Ghost by fasting. The physical human body and “its” spirit can become more susceptible to receive instructions, convictions, anointing and guidance from God by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Because the body needs and depends upon food for its survival (living ability) normal edible food is used for a fast, but is not absolutely necessary, other thing can be used or chosen to be used for the fast as well. Sometimes water or various other things can be used in their place. An individual can fast longer with the intake of water or liquids (approx. 30 days) than they can without water or liquids (three days). The importance is “fasting and prayer” unto The Heavenly Father and “not” what is used “for” the fast or how long the fast. However, that which is life sustaining or support of life are qualified of God to be used for a fast including (Ester 4:16; Matt. 17:21; Mark 9:29; 1^st Cor. 7:5).

 

Before the fast, the physical body receives its food and then when the decision “to fast” is made clear and absolute, the “spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23) which is the intellect, commands “your” soul to abstain from food (refuse food). The soul is the part of the human body that has feelings and feels the hunger pain(s) when abstaining from food or whatever is used for the fast. With strong determination and with a made up mind, “your” spirit commands your soul and body forcing it (your stomach) to submit and abstain from food and yield (submit) to “your soul” as you pray unto The Heavenly Father) and you receive from Him of which the fast was intended (purpose). As the person continues to fast and pray unto The Heavenly Father, the person’s spirit receives its instruction from Almighty God The Holy Ghost (John 4:24, 14:26; Luke 12:12) for “His” intended purpose(s) of your being obedient unto Him (Ephes. 4:23; James 5:16).

 

Therefore, by your deliberately fasting and placing your faith (confidence) unto the Heavenly Father, your spirit and soul with a made up mind thereby controlling your body and knowing for a fact with an absolute determination to obey God unto “His” Holiness and Righteousness, brings your “soul” under “deliberate” and complete subjection unto “your” spirit AND unto the Heavenly Father for “His” sake and “His” glory, to the extent of your being able to say with The Lord Jesus Christ unto The Heavenly Father “not my will but thine be done!” Therefore, obedience unto the Holy Ghost is achieved (John 4:24; Acts 5:32).

 

Hunger pain(s), within the body, desires (cravings) for food will “normally” leave completely in about three days, if no intake of food has been received within that period of time. However, if the fast and the conditions continue for an extended period of time such as week(s), or a month, within or before a months’ time, hunger pains will return and the individual “MUST” break the fast “before the hunger pains leave” or the individual can die!

 

Breaking the fast, must be done much the same way as the fast began but by eating pudding or jello (very light) meal first, to wake up the bowels from resting and then the next day, sooner or later, eating a light salad with olive oil dressing which alerts the bowels more yet to move or begin functioning again.

 

Another thing to remember is, because the body has been without food for a period of time and you break the fast by eating again, the body will want to gourge (intake to much all at once and begins to cramp and ace) on food, because the desire for food (hunger pains) has returned and the body growls for food, so it must remain under the control of your spirit and soul. Your Spirit by absolute determination must remain in control of “your Soul.”  If the intake of food at this time still is not kept under control of your Spirit and Soul, stomach pains can become worse and will dictate (demand) food and will or can be in control of your body and then proportionally your spirit and Soul. The stomach then loses control or becomes out of control which causes you or the individual to lose confidence in themselves and God. One of the reasons or purposes of the fast is to learn how to control (have power, authority against evil spirits (Luke 10: 17-20), by having complete determination, authority over your own body and over all spirits that comes against you and that are evil, including your own desires, wants and thoughts that are not of Almighty God. Therefore fasting crucifies the fleshly desires, feelings (soul) nailing them to the Cross of Jesus Christ by Prayer and Sanctification.

 

Whereas, the physical body requires (is dependent upon) physical food (nourishment) to live, survive, grow and replenishes (heals), refurbishes itself under the Authority of Almighty God unto perfict health. Therefore, by deliberate Fasting & Prayer unto The Heavenly Father, the spirit of the individual, then is in control of their own body and commands (causes) the individual’s soul (physical and spiritual feeling(s) of the body) to submit, yield to and obey the Holy Ghost (Spirit of TRUTH John 14:7, 15:26, 16:13, 1^st John 4:6) and also become more submissive unto The Spirit of Almighty God (John 4:24).

 

Again normally, one of the reasons for Fasting and prayer is; that the individual can or will achieve more authority (control) over “themselve.” 1 John 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

Be Determined and understand!

 

Prayer unto The Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus Christ John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

No one can go unto the Heavenly Father “in prayer” or by any other way other than “by” The Blood of Jesus Christ The Son of God and then unto Jesus Christ by repenting of your sins and confessing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9-13). Therefore, to get to The Heavenly Father by The Blood of The Lamb of God (Jesus The Christ) The Blood of Jesus Christ must be applied to the doorpost of your soul.

 

The Person or individual by their completion of fasting and prayer having proven unto themselves and achieved  control or authority over their own hunger (body), even for the benefit and the support of their own life by the grace and mercy of Almighty God and have thereby a proven determination by the Blood of Jesus Christ and of The power of Almighty God over and against the enemy (satan, evil spirits, demonic spirits and familiar spirits) (Matt. 10:1, 6-9; Mark 9:29, 16:15-20; Luke 9:1-2, 10:17-20).

 

If you the individual, cannot control your own body, such as quenching your own hunger pains by fasting and prayer unto God, asking the Heavenly Father to remove them and believing (knowing) that He will or is doing it, then you, the individual, do not have a complete made up mind (determined and absolute) for the purpose of submitting unto God, but are of a double mind which is unstable in all of your ways by having an unstable mind (James 1:8) which allows Satan to control you rather than you by the Blood of Jesus controlling Satan the devil and his evil demonic spirits. You must not allow Satan to steal your faith and confidence unto God. YOU must remain covered by The Blood of Jesus Christ.

 

Therefore, proportionally, fasting under the direction of The Holy Ghost, the body, soul and spirit becomes more submissive unto God and thereby receives greater power and authority of The Holy Ghost, especially for God’s purpose (under the direction of God) of casting out devils and doing greater works as God declares, such as signs, wonders and mighty deeds (John 1:50, 14:12; Romans 4:17).

 

Further, while an individual is sleeping and resting, the individual is also fasting, which is one of the reasons the morning or first meal of the day is called break-fast or breakfast, simply because the individual has fasted in the night (abstained from food) and they have broken the fast by eating the morning or first meal after the fast called breakfast. Also, when the body is sleeping and resting, the body itself is repairing itself, because of the Healing Virtue that The Heavenly Father has already placed in the human body at its birth.

 

To fast means to abstain from food—that which caused the fall of man. Fasting humbles the soul before God (Psalm 35:13); chastens the soul (Psalm 69:10); and crucifies the appetites and denies them so as to give the entire time to prayer (2 Samuel 12:16-23; Matthew 4:1-11).  It manifests earnestness before God to the exclusion of all else (1 Cor. 7:5); shows obedience; can give the digestive system a rest (Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 9:15; Luke 5:33); demonstrates the mastery of man over his appetite; aids in victory over temptation; helps to attain power over demonic spirits; can increase faith; crucifies unbelief; and helps in prayer (Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 17:14-21).

 

All believers are supposed to fast, but no regulations or set rules are given as to how long or how often. That is determined by individual desire and needs (Matthew 9:14-15; 1 Cor. 7:5; Acts 13:1-5). Men should fast when under chastening (2 Samuel 12:16-23); under judgment (1 Kings 21:27); in need (Ezra 8:21); in danger (Esther 4); when worried (Daniel 6:18); in trouble (Acts 27:9, 33) in spiritual conflict (Matthew 4:1-11); and when desperate in prayer (Acts 9).

 

Thirty-five Bible Fasts:

 

 

 

Since fasting and prayer are so prominent in the Bible, modern Christians should do more of this until they receive power with God over all the powers of the devil. Many things about fasting and its benefits are not known to modern men, but those through the ages who have been men of great prayer have also fasted much.

 

Mark 9:29  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

 

[kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting] Proving there are different kinds of demonic spirits.

 

Demonic and Unclean Spirits

 

1. Definition and usage of the terms devil, demons and demonic spirits:

 

(1)Two Hebrew words are translated "devil":  shed (HSN-7700), "a spoiler"; "destroyer"; "a malignant, evil spirit" (Deut. 32:17; Psalm 106:37); and sa€iyr (HSN-8163), "shaggy, hairy one"; "kid"; "goat"; "satyr"; "devil" (Leviticus 17:7; 2 Chron. 11:15).  Devils are the "familiar spirits" of the O.T. (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; Deut. 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:3,9; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3), and the supernatural spirits behind witchcraft.

 

(2)The word "demon" is not found in the King James Version of Scripture, but the Greek verb daimonizomai (GSN-1139) (to be possessed by an evil spirit; be demonized) and the nouns daimon (GSN-1142) and daimon (GSN-1140) refer to evil spirits, demons, familiar spirits or devils.

 

(3)The word "devil" is also used of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24).  He is the chief devil and the original source of evil in the universe.  There are many demons, but only one prince of demons.  The Greek word for devil used in connection with Satan is diabolos (GSN-1228), meaning adversary, false accuser, slanderer, devil.  It is used of men and translated false accuser and slanderer in 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Titus 2:3.  It is translated "devil" once as applying to Judas when he became an adversary of Christ (John 6:70).  In 34 other places it is translated "devil" and used of Satan as the chief adversary of God.  Satan has an angelic body and can physically enter anyone (see Luke 22:3), that is NOT protected by the blood of Jesus Christ whereas demons, are disembodied spirits capable of possessing the bodies of both animals and men.

 

2. The nature of demonic spirits: demons (familiar spirits) must have a body to possess (totally control), otherwise they roam around looking for one that they can enter into and possess (take full control of and overpower).

 

(1) They are evil (Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:9-10).

(2) They are intelligent and wise (1 Kings 22:22-24; Acts 16:16).

(3) They are powerful (Mark 5:1-18).

(4) They are disembodied spirits (Rev. 16:13-16).

(5) They are not angels (Acts 23:8-9).

(6) They are not human, for they possess men and can be cast out (Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17).

(7) They are individuals (Mark 16:9).

(8) They have knowledge (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15).

(9) They have faith (James 2:19).

(10) They have feelings (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7).

(11) They have fellowship (1 Cor. 10:20-21).

(12) They have doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1).

(13) They have wills (Matthew 12:43-45).

(14) They have miraculous powers (Rev. 16:13-16).

(15) They have emotions (Acts 8:7).

(16) They have desires (Matthew 8:28-31).

(17) They have other soul and spirit faculties.

 

3. The work of demonic spirits:

 

(1) They possess people and cause dumbness and deafness (Matthew 9:32-33; Mark 9:25)

(2) Blindness (Matthew 12:22)

(3) Grievous vexation (Matthew 15:22)

(4) Lunacy and mania (Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 5:1-18)

(5) Uncleanness (they are called unclean spirits 20 times; Luke 4:36)

(6) Supernatural strength (Mark 5:1-18)

(7) Suicide (Matthew 17:16; John 10:10)

(8) Convulsions (Mark 9:20)

(9) Lusts (John 8:44; Ephes. 2:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17)

(10) Counterfeit worship (Leviticus 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chron. 11:15; Psalm 106:37; 1 Cor. 10:20; Rev. 9:20)

(11) Error (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Tim. 4:1)

(12) Sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 4:23-24; Acts 10:38)

(13) Torments (Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 15:22)

(14) Deceptions (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 1 John 4:1-6)

(15) Lying (1 Kings 22:21-24)

(16) Enchantments and witchcraft (2 Chron. 33:6)

(17) Heresies (1 Tim. 4:1)

(18) Wickedness (Luke 11:26)

(19) Fear (2 Tim. 1:7)

(20) Love of the world (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 2:12)

(21) Bondage (Romans 8:15)

(22) Discord (1 Kings 22:21-24; Matthew 13:36-43)

(23) Violence (Matthew 17:15)

(24) Betrayals (John 13:2; 1 Kings 22:21-23)

(25)Oppression (Acts 10:38)

(26) Sin (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8)

(27) Persecution (1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 2:10)

(28) Jealousy (1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:8-10)

(29) False prophecy (1 Samuel 18:8-10; 1 Kings 22:21-24)

(30) Every other evil they possibly can, to work against man and God.

 

4. The abilities of demonic spirits and familiar spirits:

 

(1) They can teach (1 Tim. 4:1).

(2) They can steal (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12).

(3) They can fight (Ephes. 4:27; Ephes. 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8).

(4) The can become fierce and wrathful (Matthew 8:28; Rev. 12:12).

(5) They can tell fortunes (Leviticus 20:27; Acts 16:16).

(6) They can be friendly (they are called familiar spirits 16 times; Leviticus 20:6,27).

(7) They go out and come back into people as they will, unless cast out and rejected (Matthew 12:43-45).

(8) They travel (1 Kings 22:21-24; Mark 5:7, 12).

(9) They speak (Mark 1:34; Mark 5:12; Acts 8:7).

(10) They imitate the departed dead (2 Samuel 28:3-9; 1 Chron. 10:13; Isaiah 8:19; Deut. 18:11).

(11) They can do many other things when in possession of bodies.

 

5. They are called:

 

(1) Devils (Mark 16:17)

(2) Familiar spirits (Leviticus 20:6)

(3) Unclean spirits (Mark 1:27)

(4) Evil spirits (Luke 7:21)

(5) Seducing spirits (1 Tim. 4:1).

 

6.  General facts about demonic spirits:

 

(1) They are subject to Christ and made subject to believers by the atonement, in the name of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 12:28; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 19:15).

(2) Thousands of them can enter into and take possession of one man at the same time (Mark 5:9).

(3) They must be discerned, tested, resisted, and rejected by believers (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Ephes. 4:27; Ephes. 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

(4) They have more than ordinary intelligence (Matthew 8:29).

(5) Their rightful place is in the abyss (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1-21).

(6) They have personality (Luke 8:26-33).

(7) They are disembodied (Matthew 12:43-45).

(8) They are Satan's emissaries (Matthew 12:26-29).

(9) They are numerous (Mark 5:9).

(10) They can enter into and control both men and animals (Mark 5:1-18), and they seek embodiment (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:32).

(11) Demon possession and demon influence are different (cp. Matthew 4:23-24 with Matthew 16:21-23).

(12) Demons know their fate (Matthew 8:31-32) and recognize those who have power over them (Acts 19:13-17).

(13) They fear God (James 2:19).

(14) They inflict physical maladies (Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:15-18).

(15) They wage war on saints (Ephes. 6:10-18).

(16) They influence men (1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:10-12).

(17) All unbelievers are more or less in league with them (Ephes. 2:1-3).

(18) The only resources against them are prayer and the whole armor of God and the Blood of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:1, 6-9; 17:21; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 9:1-2, 10:19; Ephes. 6:10-18).

(19) There are demonic spirits for every sickness, unholy trait, and doctrinal error known among people.

(20) They must be cast out or resisted in order to experience relief from them.

 

7. Traffic with demonic spirits is forbidden in both testaments (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; Deut. 18:10; 1 Chron. 10:13-14; Isaiah 8:19; Luke 4:41; Acts 16:16; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6).

 

John 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. [15] If ye love me, keep my commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. [20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. [21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. [22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? [23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. [25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. [26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

 

Matthew 10:20  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

 

Mark 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

 

Do you have confidence in Almighty God?

 

Do you know for a fact that when you ask The Heavenly Father in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ for something that is good and for the glory of God that he will do it?

 

Do you know that you are to do and to say that which is good “ONLY” (James 4:17)?

 

 

Revs. Mr. and Mrs. H. Dean Daniels Sui Juris