b'SCRIPTUREFasting A Gift from GodBy Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove1. Marvin Sapp - Substance 6. Jon Reddick - God Turn ItY ou may think of fasting as some-thingdoneonlybypeoplewho Around havetakenvowsofpoverty,orper-2. Toby Mac - Life After Death haps by the highly devout. Then there 3. Angela Primm - I Feel Like7. Maverick City X Kirkare those that believe that fasting is Singing Franklin - Kingdom Bookoldfashionandnotnecessarynow. 4. Malaco - 50 YearOne Lord,Iaskthatyoutouchevery Celebration - Various 8. Tye Tribbett - All Things New personsheartthatbelieveorthink 5. Tauren Wells - Joy In The9. Leonard Scott- Keepfasting isn\'t important. Fasting is one Morning Hymns Alive ofthemostimportantpartsofyour 10 Trip Lee - The End prayer life.Zechariah discussed fasting for peo-plewhowereprosperingmaterially (Zech 7:5) Largely because their com-munity was in the middle of a building boom, they were moving up the ladder economically.Intoday\'stermsthey might be called; people on the move,Rev. Dr. PM Wynn peoplemakingthingshappenand upwardly mobile.It is interesting that Zechariah chal- Otherpurposesforfastingamong lengedthesepeoplewithfastingintheIsraelitesincluded:Thegallant the context of community developmentmenofGileadfastedforsevendays and social justice (Zech. 7:6-10). JusttoexpresstheirgriefoveringSaul\'s to name a few reasons why fasting candeath (1 Chr.10:12) Rather than hide be a valuable practice in your life: their sadness and feelings of loss, they openlyexpresseditbyusingfastingFastingcanhelpusrememberasacleansingdiscipline.Otherfast-what it was like to be hungry anding purpose includes, commemorating to do without and keep us humblespecialoccasionsofGoddeliverance as God promotes us. (Zech. 8:19). We can\'t forget repentingFasting can help us remember theofandgrievingfordisobedienceand spiritualresourcesofGodthatsinagainsttheLord(Judg.20:26;1 sustained us when we didn\'t haveSam7:6).Expressinghumilitybefore much, and it can also enable us toGod (Lev.16:29; Ps 69:10) and seeking focus on the Lord. guidance from the Lord by clearing out our senses and focusing on Him (Ex.Fasting can help us remember and34:28; 2 Chr. 20:3-4).identify with those around us whoFasting is a means toward spiritual are poor and hungry. It\'s our dutyfocus by concentrating on God rather to continue to pray & fast for thosethanfoodandotherpersonalneeds. who lack in finances, shelter, job- Areyoufacingmajorchallengesor less mental illness, sick and mostdecisions? Fasting would be the best of all those that dont believe in theway to honor God in the situation and preciousnameofJesus!Diedonask for His help. It will surprise you the Cross. Many Believers strugglehow depriving yourself of a day\'s food with weight loss, believing in a pillto concentrate on the Lord can build ordietplanmorethenturningspiritualmuscleandmoralfiber.Its their plate over and praying to Godall about Fasting" is Jesus. He fasted to help you fight the battle of losingforfortydaysinthewildernessafter weight. being baptized by John at the start of His ministry (Matt. 4:2) Satan came to tempt Him into sin, but He withstood the test. I remind you how Satan tried to tempt Jesus because he will surely temptyoueverytimeyoufast.Be strongandunmovablewhenSatan Fasting is acomes to tempt you.Yes, fasting will increase your prayer means towardlifeandyourpersonalrelationship with God. All of us have something to spiritual focus byfast about go ahead and step into a deeper prayer life with fasting. It will be hard many things will try to inter-concentrating onrupt you such as, the phone, or some-one knocking at your door. Stay focus, God rather thanfight the temptation of distractions and destructions it will be well worth it!food and other personal needs.Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove & Pastor Lee W. Grove Jr. are the Founders ofHeavenlySentMinistries. PastorPMcanbereachedat pmwynn9@msn.com.2 SEPTEMBER 2022 BOCNEWS.com'