Fasting And The Holy Spirit- John 7

I have mentioned numerous times in preparation for fasting that our "spiritual senses" would be sharpened. What do I mean by that?

“'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."- John 7:37-39

When a person makes a decision to follow Christ, God the Holy Spirit then moves in to indwell that new believer. When that believer is then baptized in the Holy Spirit, he or she is "immersed" or as the Greek puts it, "waterlogged" with His Presence and Power. When we then fast, our spiritual senses become very keen, and we become even more in tune with Him. By "with Him", I again mean the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians are under the misconception that it's the presence of Jesus that we sense at a Church service or in our prayer closet, or that when we make a decision to follow Christ, that we are "asking Jesus into our hearts". Actually, the Bible says that Jesus is seated at the Right Hand of the Father making intercession for us(Heb.1:3,7:25), and that on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as the indwelling Presence Of God in His Church.

Why is this important? Because the Holy Spirit is a real Person, the Third Person of the Godhead, and lives with and in each believer! Ignoring Him grieves Him, and His Ability to move and work in our lives is severely hampered. If you haven't actually spoken directly to Him, stop, take a moment, and say, "Hello Holy Spirit!" As you spend more time in prayer during the fast, allow yourself to sense His comforting and strengthening Presence. Don't bring your requests to Him...He has been given to you to help you pray to your Heavenly Father in Jesus' Name

Comments

[aviyaun]

Pastor,

I have a question about fasting. Do you have an email?

Thank you
Aviyaun Thigpen

[Steve Caronna]

Aviyaun,
Thanks for your interest in my blog, and your interest in learning more about fasting. Please post your question here so that I can respond in a way that everyone can learn.
Thanks!
Pastor S.