1. FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?
FastinginBIBLEandSOP
FASTING
Spirit of, explained.
Isa 58:6-7
Not to be made a subject of display.
Mt 6:16-18
Should be unto God.
Zec 7:5; Mt 6:18
For the chastening of the soul.
Ps 69:10
For the humbling of the soul.
Ps 35:13
OBSERVED ON OCCASIONS OF
Judgments of God.
Joe 1:14; 2:12
Public calamities.
2Sa 1:12
Afflictions of the Church.
Lu 5:33-35
Afflictions of others.
Ps 35:13; Da 6:18
Private afflictions.
2Sa 12:16
Approaching danger.
Es 4:16
Ordination of ministers.
Ac 13:3; 14:23
ACCOMPANIED BY
Prayer.
Ezr 8:23; Da 9:3
Confession of sin.
1Sa 7:6; Ne 9:1-2
Mourning.
Joe 2:12
Humiliation.
De 9:18; Ne 9:1
Promises connected with.
Isa 58:8-12; Mt 6:18
OF HYPOCRITES
Described.
Isa 58:4-5
Ostentatious.
Mt 6:16
Boasted of, before God.
Lu 18:12
Rejected.
Isa 58:3; Jer 14:12
EXTRAORDINARY--EXEMPLIFIED.
Our Lord, Mt 4:2
Moses, Ex 34:28; De 9:9,18
Elijah, 1Ki 19:8
NATIONAL--EXEMPLIFIED.
Israel, Jg 20:26; Ezr 8:21; Es 4:3,16
Men of Jabesh-gilead, 1Sa 31:13
Ninevites, Jon 3:5-8
OF SAINTS--EXEMPLIFIED.
David, 2Sa 12:16; Ps 109:24
Nehemiah, Ne 1:4
Esther, Es 4:16
Daniel, Da 9:3
Disciples of John, Mt 9:14
Anna, Lu 2:37
Cornelius, Ac 10:30
Primitive Christians, Ac 13:2
Apostles, 2Co 6:5
Paul, 2Co 11:27
OF THE WICKED--EXEMPLIFIED.
Elders of Jezreel, 1Ki 21:12
Ahab, 1Ki 21:27
Pharisees, Mr 2:18; Lu 18:12
2. FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?
FastinginBIBLEandSOP
When Special Divine Help Is Needed
For certain things, fasting and prayer are
recommended and appropriate. In the hand of
God they are a means of cleansing the heart and
promoting a receptive frame of mind. We obtain
answers to our prayers because we humble our
souls before God. {CD 187.6} Letter 73, 1896
Studying the Bible
When the time shall come, in the providence of
God, for the world to be tested upon the truth for
that time, minds will be exercised by His Spirit to
search the Scriptures, even with fasting and with
prayer, until link after link is searched out, and
united in a perfect chain. {CD 187.2}
As a Help in Total Surrendering
The spirit of true fasting and prayer is the spirit
which yields mind, heart, and will to God. {CD
189.2}
Overcoming in the end times
Now and onward till the close of time the people
of God should be more earnest, more wide-
awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in
the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside
days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence
from food may not be required, but they should
eat sparingly of the most simple food. {CD
188.4}
Fasting not to replace simple trust in the
Blood.
All the fasting in the world will not take the place
of simple trust in the word of God. "Ask," He
says, "and ye shall receive." ... You are not called
upon to fast forty days. The Lord bore that fast
for you in the wilderness of temptation. There
would be no virtue in such a fast; but there is
virtue in the blood of Christ. {CD 189.1}
Fasting was practiced by the Jews as an act of
merit, and the most rigid among them fasted two
days in every week. The Pharisees and John's
disciples were fasting when the latter came to
Jesus with the inquiry, "Why do we and the
Pharisees fast oft, but Thy disciples fast not?"
{DA 276.4}
Some fast not necessary
I think that you have erred in fasting two days.
God did not require it of you. I beg of you to be
cautious and eat freely good, wholesome food
twice a day. You will surely decrease in strength
and your mind become
unbalanced unless you change your course of
abstemious diet. {CD 191.2}
Transition into vegetarianism
If our appetites clamor for the flesh of dead
animals, it is a necessity to fast and pray for the
Lord to give His grace to deny fleshly lusts which
war against the soul.
[FASTING BENEFICIAL IN CHANGING
FROM A DIET OF FLESH MEAT AND RICH
FOODS--312] {CD 400.3} (Letter 73, 1896)
Resolving issues in the Church
I do not think any such questions as that ought to
be placed before me. I do not think it is my work
to deal with any such things unless the case has
been plainly opened before me. There should be
brethren in the church who have wisdom who
can speak decidedly regarding this case. I cannot
understand such things. I do not believe that God
wants me to take any such burden upon me. If
they cannot settle such things among themselves
by prayer and fasting, then let them continue [in]
fasting and prayer till they can. {TSB 234.1}
Emptying self when praying
It is he who yields himself most unreservedly to
God that will render Him the most acceptable
service. For through fellowship with God men
become workers together with Him in presenting
His character in humanity. {RC 24.4}
Unaccepted fasting
The outward signs of fasting and prayer, without
a broken and contrite spirit, are of no value in
God's sight. The inward work of grace is needed.
3. FASTING- As set forth in the Bible and Spirit Of Prophecy A NEED?
FastinginBIBLEandSOP
Humiliation of soul is essential. God looks upon
this. He will graciously receive those who will
humble their hearts before Him. He will hear their
petitions and heal their backslidings. {3BC
1132.4}