Today's Passage - Matthew 6:16-18

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. In this passage, the Lord is not saying that we shouldn't fast, but the Pharisees have turned fasting into a formality and law. We also often treat fasting as a formality that lack sincerity in our heart. God is pleased by us fasting with genuineness and purity in our hearts, not just for others to see how spiritual we are. We still need to fast nowadays much like how Jesus fasted before. When He was serving in the world, He often fasted and prayed in the wilderness. The Lord also taught us the same, as He said in Mark 2:20: "But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast." After Jesus left us for the heaven, disciples and church needed to practice in the area of fasting. .  Jesus also ministered the same way. One time, when a disciple tried to cast out demon from a boy, the demon wouldn't leave, but as soon as Jesus rebuked the demon, it just fled. Disciples asked Jesus in private: "Why couldn't we drive it out?" Lord responded: "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting." Apparently fasting is necessary when we minister to others. It was the same for the early church; in Acts 13, the Holy Spirit spoke to the church and sent Paul and Barnabas out to serve, and it happened when the church was fasting and praying. Therefore, we must also learn to practice fast and pray today. .  We must also examine why exactly should we fast. When we fast, are we fasting and praying for salvation of some people? Or is it for unity in the church and to see God's will and direction? Or is it for a country when it's in jeopardy? Or is it for mercy of God when a society's crime rate is climbing? Or is it for missions work, particularly among Muslin and Buddhist countries? We are not just facing a physical war, but rather a war in the spiritual realm. Through fasting and praying, we may work with God in the spiritual realm to bind all the work of devil Satan, so that God's kingdom will continue to advance through prayer. Have you tried fasting? Starting with fasting for one meal, let us come before God and work with Him according to the prompting and burden that He has placed in our hearts. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you because you have taught us how to work with you. May the Lord help us not to fast like the Pharisees; let us not just pay attention to what we are showing others, but to fast in spirit and truth, so that we may come before you together to expand your kingdom. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

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