As we continue our week on seeking God, today we're exploring what it means to seek God through fasting.

This may be a new or even unpleasant topic for some, but my hope is that you would be energized and encouraged toward the act of fasting today.

There is power in surrender and self-sacrifice for the sake of more of God,

and I pray you experience that power as you learn more about this important tool God's given us to seek him.

I'd encourage you to open your heart today in full surrender to anything the spirit might speak.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast. I'm I'm I'm

I'm

you Our scripture for today comes from Ezra 8 verse 23.

Scripture says,

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

In his book, A Hunger for God, John Piper writes,

If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God,

it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your

soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.

Fasting is a powerful tool for placing anything that entangles us to the depravity and longings of this world in proper perspective.

It builds for us a seat at the table of God, where we can drink deeply of the wonders and satisfaction found in restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. May the Lord reveal to you the places

in your heart which need to be realigned as we look at all Gods to do in us through the gift of fasting.

Matthew 6, verses 16 through 18 says, and when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,

for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly I say to you,

they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your father who is in secret.

And your father who sees in secret will reward you.

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