Garden of the Heart Ministries - Temple Talk - Teachings - A Choice for God and Against the Flesh

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Victory Over Depression Part 1 Victory Over Depression Part 2 A Choice for God and Against the Flesh Healing in His Hands Good, Like Medicine Take Care Until He Comes Removing the Root Cause Our Bodies, His Temple	A Choice for God and Against the Flesh By Renée Lubinski What is that choice and why is it worth looking at? The choice is fasting and the benefits far outweigh the cost. When I speak on the subject of fasting at seminars I’ve often noticed that some heads tend to glance downward. I realize it’s a very personal subject but do you know how powerful fasting is, both spiritually and physically? Fasting defined is doing without, or even better to say, it is to a form of not being controlled by anything. Being mastered by something is when you have to have something and feel like you can not go without it. Paul said, "everything is permissible but I will not be mastered by anything". We can begin by asking in prayer, “Lord, is there anything that’s mastering me?” Let’s begin by looking at the spiritual benefits. There are spiritual benefits of starving the flesh (the old nature) which in turn empowers the Holy Spirit. Saints throughout the ages have used fasting as a method to purify the body and soul so they could hear the Spirit of God speaking ever so clearly to their hearts. The most effective way for you to see a spiritual breakthrough is to fast. If the Son of God fasted and prayed for power in His ministry, why should you and I think we are exempt from these things? Jesus expects us to fast as in Matt 6:16 he said … “when” you fast, not if. It’s expected of us. Fasting really is a choice for God and against the flesh. When you fast, you’re making a conscious inward choice, demonstrated by an outward act, that you want God’s power to flow through you, not your own. You want God’s answers, not yours. Isaiah 58 reveals the wonderful Spiritual benefits of fasting. If you fast according to God's will, you will take delight in approaching God. Your voice will be heard on high. You will loose bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke. You will share (physical and spiritual) bread with the hungry, and clothe (spiritually and physically) the naked. Your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. You shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am'. Your light will dawn in the darkness, your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (which mplies continual fullness and refreshing by the Holy Spirit); you shall restore and build up the community in righteousness. Wow! What motivation God has given us! Do you believe these promises? If you have a hard time believing them, fasting (while meditating on the Word) will kill and burn up unbelief like nothing else. Let’s look to ways it purifies the body. There really is no better single physical step you can take for your health than fasting. Your body, and your digestive organs in particular, are required to work and work without any vacation. You know that you require rest from work from time to time. In the same way, your digestive system needs a rest from time to time. Fasting provides that rest for your digestive system. It allows the digestive system to recuperate from the rough treatment that it may have been given by perhaps overeating or eating the wrong foods. In addition, fasting also provides an opportunity to eliminate toxins from the body. Fasting brings increased health, longevity and a clear mind. Finally, fasting will save time. In order to eat, you may have to spend time shopping, cooking, cleaning and of course eating. If you fast, you can use that time to seek the Lord, meditate on His Word and hear His directives for your life. When we learn how to fast from our standard American diet (referred to as SAD) we greatly improve our overall health and well being. How do I start, you may ask? One way may be with a “Daniel Fast” which consists of no animal products and no cooked foods. Eat food that is living/raw plant origin and drink lots of water between meals. This not only has the benefits of calorie restriction but also the benefits of increased sharpness of mind. Start with a fast that you can sustain for a long period of time, (a month or two), and see how much better you feel. This might be a fast from animal products, refined sugars and starches or a fast from caffeine. Everyone can fast at least partial fasts, almost everyone can fast short fasts, and most of us could fast long fasts. I am of a fairly slight build, yet God has enabled me to fast many days on occasion. It has literally changed my life and circumstances in numerous ways. One way was the restoration of my physical health from disease as shared in my healing testimony. I highly encourage you to seek medical advice when in question. When you seek and ask the Lord for direction, do that which He places upon your heart. Don't quit, stop or give up on what He instructs you to do. If you fall (as everyone does at times) get back up and start anew. Never condemn yourself (this is the lie spoken from the old nature or mind). You’re not under any law with this but instead under God’s grace. The people who succeed in these kinds of worthwhile goals are not the ones who don't fall, but the ones who get up one more time than the number of times they have fallen! I care. If you have any questions, feel free to and I’d be happy to address your concerns/questions as best I can. I am not a physician so medical questions must be addressed with your practitioner. Have a happy, prosperous and blessed day--spirit, soul and body! In need of a physical healing? For more information, see Healing in His Hands. Also check out Perfect Tomato Salad where you’ll find a great raw veggie feature. * * * * * Feedback is welcomed. Please feel free to email your comments, questions or suggestions!