SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

How much time do we spend seeking God? Are we God Chasers? Are we pursuing Him as a deer pants after a water brook? Is there hunger in our hearts. These are questions I ask myself.

The Bible says "If you seek Him you will find Him". Another place it says; "Drew near to God and He will drew near to you". What does this mean to you?

Seek first (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

One of the ways of seeking Him is setting time aside in fasting and prayer. Focusing on Him through not eating and spend time with just Him, not doing anything. According to Luke, it was the Spirit of God who led Jesus into the wilderness to fast. Afterward, Jesus returned to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14).

For believers who recognize the power that is released through fasting and prayer, the question is not "should I fast?" but "how should I fast?"

PURIFY YOUR FAST

Fasting humbles us so we may receive more fully the grace and power of God, thus allowing us to walk more deeply in His purity and strength. Fasting causes me to become very sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord. I hear better the voice of the Holy Spirit. My hunger is after His will and purpose for me.

It is a commitment to refrain from seeking physical food in order to seek God for spiritual food. Watch out for wrong motive in fasting such as a means to jump-start a weight-loss program of to "rid the body of poisons."

GOD'S CHOSEN FAST

Isaiah 58:6 "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? Verse 8, Then your light will break forth like the dawn,and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer".

Wow, awesome promise. Take the time to read the whole chapter, it will encourage you to fast and pray. Let's seek Him personally and corporately for this new year.