Question for Christians?

Question

What is true fasting?
How do you study the Bible?

Answer 1

Dear Friend,

Fasting means to refrain from eating food. The bible describes "three" main forms of fasting:

1) The Normal Fast, involving the total abstinence of food, Luke 4:2 reveals that Jesus "did eath nothing." Afterwards, "He was hungered." Jesus abstained from food but not from water.

2) In Acts 9:9 we read of an Absolute Fast where for three days He "neither did eat nor drink." The abstinence from both food and water seems to have lasted nor more than three days. (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16)

3) The Partial Fast--in Daniel 10:3 the emphasis is upon the restriction of diet rather than complete abstinence. The context implies that there were physical benefits resulting from this partial fast. However, this verse indicates that there was revelation given to Daniel as a result of this type of fasting.

Fasting is the laying aside of food for a period of time when the believer is seeking to "know" God in a "deeper" relationship. It is to be done as an act ...before God, in the privacy of one's own pursuit of God (Exodus 34:28; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Kings 19:8; Isa. 58; Zech. 6:17; Matthew 6:17).

Fasting relates to a time of confession; see Psalm 69:10...Fasting can be a time of seeking a deeper prayer experience and drawing near to God in prevailing prayer (Ezra 8:23; Joel 2:12). The early church often fasted in seeking God's will for leadership in the local church (Acts 13:2). When the early church wanted to know the mind of God, there was time for prayer and fasting.

There is also a way in which to prepare yourself for fasting:

Matthew 6:16-18 says, "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

Now, to answer your question about ...How to Study the Bible:

1. I believe it is important for a person to ask God to search our hearts and see if there be anything displeasing in us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 139:23, 24

2. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His absolute Truth to you. Not just to read His Word, but to apply His Word in your daily life.

3. Read each Scripture "out loud"...There is something to be said about reading the Word of God aloud. (For instance start with the Book of John)

4. Stop periodically and absorb what you have read. Think about it, and then ask the Lord how it applies to you.

God's word is a "love letter" to you. He wants you to personalized His Word to your life.

May you be blessed,

lostnsavd....

Answer 2

Fasting can be used in 2 different ways, if you are going to fast let's say just one meal, Then your body will not thirst. But if you are going to fast for days, Then you do not eat any food But you do drink water. Many people thinks that when Jesus fasted for 40 days That he done without water also, That is not True, At the end of Jesus 40 day fast the Bible only says that he was Hungry, It mentions nothing about thirsty. Now I study the bible with the help of the Holy Ghost.

Answer 3

True fasting? You don't eat or drink.

Look at it this way, you are giving up something for the Lord so you can pray fervently.

As for studying the Bible, it would depend on where you are in walk...

A new Christian, begin with the book of John. Then read Jude back to Matthew. It's not to be read like a text book. Instead, take your time. If you don't understand something, pray about it and ask God to reveal Himself and what He wants you to get out of that verse or passage. The Holy Spirit will reveal what you want and need to know.

If you are further in your walk, you can also read the Bible in this manner. Once you have a good grasp on the New Testament, you can begin studying the Old Testament. There are many, many lessons we can learn from in the Old Testament while living in the grace and mercy Jesus offers us from the New Testament.

Revelation is symbolic and will take some time to understand but again, pray about it and God will reveal what He wants you to know.

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

Please....This is the true answer. There is different kinds of fasting...The fast that is the most common unto people is not eating like for 40 days and 40 nights like Jesus did. That is One way of fasting...The other ways of fasting is basically picking certain food to eat and only one meal a day..I am on a fast right now and I can only have one meal a day, I can eat whatever I want when i want, but only one meal. I can only drink water outside of that one meal. I can only watch religious and educational things. My fast started Midnight on Sunday and ends Midnight Next Sunday. The point of Fasting is being one step closer to god, just focusing on him and him only. Yes it makes you physically weak, but it builds you up spiritually. Look up Fasting and different kinds of fasting and choose the right one for you!!!!! Also studying the bible is just like studying a book in school. You just have to understand and comprehend everything that is being read. If anyone has more questions fell totally free to ask me I am happy to help.

Answer 5

How do you study the bible?
You learn much more by asking questions, and allowing the scriptures to answer.
For example why did Jesus say the meek would inherit the earth? Mathew 5:5. Because he knew that his father had promised this at Psalms 37:9-11,29
To be one of those who survive and not one who gets cut off you need to accept the bible for what it is, The word of God and his instruction book for you. Remember that he wants us to live, but allows us the choice of choosing his way or the way of the world. (Satan's Way) Start at John 17:3 and know for sure that 2 Timothy 3:16 is true.

Answer 6

Isa 58:6-7
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
NIV
Fasting is the day spending with God. Through fasting you can fight the smallest sin in our life. Through prayer and fasting only these kind of victory will happen.
Everyday, I read Bible. Mostly I won't get much time to study. So what I read everyday will be kept in mind. and I keep on remembering those verses.

Answer 7

Fasting is such a personal thing, each person needs to do it with their medical condition and mental condition in mind. True fasting I suppose is going without food or water for a period of time. Every time you feel the urge to eat or drink, it is supposed to serve as a reminder of whatever you are fasting for.

I study the Bible a chapter at a time, a story at a time. :)

Answer 8

In fasting it is permissible to take in some nourishment, i.e. water, bread or crackers. You cannot fast for long periods without some nourishment and for some of us older folks it is a necessity.

As to studying the Bible, I compare several translations, read several commentaries, make notes on it as I read it, and then I place it on a website for others to read as well.

http://www.kingdom-principles.org

grace2u

Answer 9

Fasting is taking the time you would spend on eating and devoting that to study and prayer. It is more than simply not eating, that is just a diet, fasting involves giving something up to spend the time you would use for that on God.

Answer 10

"What is true fasting?"
It is an act in which you let go of the sustenance which maintains your strength in favor of leaning upon God for sustenance. His strength becomes your strength, His power and His word sustains you.
An example of fasting in the Bible is when Jesus did it:
31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
( John 4 )


"How do you study the Bible?"
Allow His Spirit to guide me through it. Sometimes I have something specific to find in it, and other times I look into it randomly. Either way I benefit in the knowledge in the word.