Sacrifice Advantage

Isa. 1:^18-19 (NIV) “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

Fasting is extremely valuable and important. However, note that fasting does not make God a vending machine. 1 Sam.15:²² “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” Fasting is a sacrifice – a spiritual sacrifice. God says obedience is better than sacrifice. To obey God is better than fasting to please God or to get what you think God wants to give you. God says obeying Him is much more important.

Please read 2 Samuel 12:15-23. David slept with Bathsheba, she got pregnant and had a baby for him. David loved Bathsheba and the baby, but God was determined to deal with David. David fasted and prayed, poured ashes on his head, sat on the floor, and refused to go into his house for days. Yet God still punished David by taking the baby. When God says you should not do something, it is better not to do it. The reason is if after you have “wilfully misstepped”, you gather all the prayer warriors to fast and pray for you seeking God’s mercy, nothing will shift. Obedience is better than sacrifice! God is just totally amazing; He can chastise with one hand and comfort with the other. God later compensated David with Solomon.

Fasting has huge spiritual and physical benefits. Some of us are familiar with some of these benefits yet all of us need to increase in knowledge. Beginning today, we will highlight some physical benefits of intermittent fasting. The information we will be sharing is from www.authoritynutrition.com; variations of it are also available on a lot of health websites.

The first benefit of intermittent fasting is that it changes the functions of cells, genes, and hormones. When you fast, your insulin level drops, and growth hormones increase. Your cells also initiate important cellular repair processes and changes. The second benefit of intermittent fasting is, it helps you lose weight and belly fat. Huge revelation, right? Intermittent fasting helps you eat fewer calories while slightly boosting your metabolism. It is a very effective way to lose weight and belly fat. Sometimes friends tell me they are interested in learning how I stay in shape (with no potbelly). By the time I am done telling them how and when to fast, they backdown. Most times people are not willing to pay the price for the benefits they can see.

Prayer:  Father, I will wait on You in obedience and my spirit, soul, and body shall rejoice, in Jesus Name. Amen!