Divine Guidance Through Fasting and Faith

 

Summary

In our journey with Christ, we are often called to navigate through life's complexities, seeking direction and guidance from the Lord. As we delve into the scriptures, we find that God has intricately woven a path for us, one that He has prepared in advance. Ephesians 2 reminds us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared beforehand for us to walk in. This profound truth assures us that God is not only present in our future but is actively preparing it for us.

Drawing from the cultural context of biblical times, we understand that when a king traveled, a lead team would scout the best route, identifying resources and dangers. This is a beautiful analogy for how Jesus, our King, prepares our path. He is mindful of us, has a place for us to be, and things for us to do. Even the troubles along the way are part of His design to shape us.

In moments of uncertainty, we are reminded of the God who makes all things possible, the God of resurrection, miracles, and breakthroughs. We serve a God who cannot fail. Our confidence is not in our plans but in the Rock-solid faith that what God has promised will come to pass. Paul's encounter with God on the road to Damascus is a testament to this. He fasted for direction and received clear instructions from the Lord, which transformed his life and set him on a new path.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that positions us to hear from God more clearly. It is a time when we eliminate distractions and tune our hearts to His voice. As we fast, we can expect God to reveal great and unsearchable things to us, providing guidance for the decisions we face, whether they are spiritual, personal, or in times of crisis.

As we approach the conclusion of our 21 days of prayer and fasting, let us be encouraged to seek God's direction with renewed vigor. Whether you have been fasting from the start or are just beginning, know that God honors your sacrifice and is ready to guide you. Let us hold onto the promise in Jeremiah 33:3, that when we call out to Him, He will answer and show us things we do not know.

Key Takeaways:

- God has already prepared the path for our lives, just as a king's lead team would prepare the way for his journey. This divine preparation includes both blessings and challenges, all designed to shape us into the people He intends us to be. [55:17]

- Our confidence in life's storms comes from the unwavering promises of God, not our own strength or plans. Like Paul, we can stand firm in the assurance that what God has spoken will come to fruition, as He is a God who does not lie. [01:11:31]

- Fasting is a powerful tool for seeking divine direction, especially during significant life changes or decisions. It is a time when we can hear God more clearly and receive the guidance we need to navigate the decisions that shape our lives. [57:04]

- In moments of crisis, fasting can bring clarity and a word from the Lord to hold onto. It is in these times that we can truly experience God's presence and receive the assurance that He is in control and working for our good. [01:07:54]

- As we commit to fasting, let us do so with the expectation that God will respond. The breakthroughs and answers we seek may come during the fast or after, but our faith should remain steadfast, trusting in God's perfect timing and will. [01:00:13]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
2. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV): "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
3. Acts 9:3-6 (NIV): "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:10, what has God prepared for us in advance? How does this relate to our daily lives?
2. In Acts 9:3-6, what was Saul's immediate reaction to the light from heaven and the voice he heard? What instructions did he receive from Jesus?
3. How does Jeremiah 33:3 assure us of God's willingness to guide us when we seek Him? What are the "great and unsearchable things" mentioned in this verse?
4. The sermon mentioned that fasting helps us hear God more clearly. What are some examples given in the sermon of how fasting provided direction or clarity? ([57:04])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of a king's lead team preparing the way relate to Jesus preparing our path, as mentioned in the sermon? ([55:17])
2. What does Paul's transformation on the road to Damascus teach us about seeking God's direction during significant life changes? ([49:33])
3. How can the practice of fasting enhance our ability to receive guidance from God, especially during times of crisis or major decisions? ([01:07:54])
4. Reflecting on Jeremiah 33:3, what might be some "great and unsearchable things" God could reveal to us during a period of fasting and prayer?

#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt uncertain about your future. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? How might fasting have changed that experience? ([01:15:04])
2. The sermon emphasized that God has already prepared our path, including both blessings and challenges. How can you trust God more in the face of current challenges in your life? ([55:17])
3. Fasting is described as a powerful tool for seeking divine direction. What specific decision or situation in your life could benefit from a period of fasting and prayer? ([57:04])
4. In moments of crisis, the sermon suggests that fasting can bring clarity and a word from the Lord. Can you identify a current crisis where you need God's guidance? How will you approach this through fasting? ([01:07:54])
5. Reflect on the promise in Jeremiah 33:3. How can you incorporate calling out to God into your daily routine, and what steps will you take to listen for His answers?
6. The sermon mentioned that our confidence comes from God's unwavering promises, not our own plans. How can you shift your focus from your own plans to trusting in God's promises in your daily life? ([01:11:31])
7. As we conclude the 21 days of prayer and fasting, what is one specific area in your life where you are seeking a breakthrough? How will you continue to seek God's guidance and remain steadfast in faith after the fast ends? ([01:00:13])

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Preparation Shapes Our Journey
God intricately designs each of our paths, incorporating both the blessings and the challenges we encounter. These experiences are not random; they are part of a divine plan that shapes us into the individuals we are meant to become. Just as a king's path was prepared by his advance team, our spiritual journey is laid out by God, who is the ultimate sovereign over our lives. This preparation is a testament to His meticulous care for us, ensuring that every aspect of our lives serves a purpose in our growth and in the fulfillment of His will.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might it be part of God's preparation for your life's journey?

Day 2: Unwavering Promises as Our Foundation
Our confidence in the midst of life's storms is anchored in the promises of God, not in our own abilities or plans. Like the Apostle Paul, whose life was radically transformed by an encounter with God, we can trust that God's word will come to pass. He is a God who cannot lie, and His promises are as solid as a rock. When we stand on these promises, we can face any situation with the assurance that God is faithful and His plans for us will prevail.

"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness." (Psalm 33:4 ESV)

Reflection: What promise of God do you need to cling to today, and how can you remind yourself of its truth throughout your day?

Day 3: Fasting for Divine Direction
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that enhances our sensitivity to God's voice, especially during pivotal moments in our lives. It is a time to set aside distractions and focus on God, allowing us to hear Him more clearly. Through fasting, we position ourselves to receive divine guidance for the decisions that shape our lives, whether they are spiritual, personal, or in times of crisis. This practice is not just about abstaining from food; it's about drawing nearer to God and His wisdom.

"And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with." (Ecclesiastes 1:13 ESV)

Reflection: What decision or area in your life could benefit from fasting and seeking God's direction right now?

Day 4: Clarity in Crisis Through Fasting
In moments of crisis, fasting can be a powerful means to gain clarity and a word from the Lord to hold onto. It is during these times of intentional focus on God that we can experience His presence most profoundly and receive the assurance that He is in control. Fasting helps us to let go of our own understanding and to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is working all things for our good.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a crisis in your life where fasting might help you to seek and understand God's guidance and assurance?

Day 5: Expectant Fasting and God's Faithfulness
As we commit to the discipline of fasting, we should do so with the expectation that God will respond. The breakthroughs and answers we seek may not always come immediately, but our faith should remain steadfast, trusting in God's perfect timing and will. Fasting is an act of faith, a declaration that we are waiting on God and believing in His faithfulness to reveal His plans to us in His time.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of expectation and trust in God's faithfulness as you fast and pray for breakthroughs in your life?

Quotes

1) "God is in your future preparing what he already has in mind for you." [54:00] (Download)

2) "Your King Jesus is preparing your pathway in advance, mindful of you, with a place for you to be and things for you to do." [55:17] (Download)

3) "When we fast like Paul, we say, 'God, I know you have instructions, a place for me to be, things for me to do; give me the guidance and direction I need.'" [56:22] (Download)

4) "We fast for direction when making major decisions, seeking God's way for us, the way that he has prepared in advance for us to walk in." [57:04] (Download)

5) "While they were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. We hear God more when we're fasting, eliminating distractions, tuning into His voice." [58:22] (Download)

6) "After the fast, there's going to be things that happen. Maybe the breakthrough comes in months, but don't stop believing, God is moving." [01:00:13] (Download)

7) "In the middle of Crisis, we fast for direction. When the ship is being battered violently, we seek God for a word to hold onto." [01:04:47] (Download)

8) "If you haven't been fasting yet, it's okay. God will honor that. In these last seven days, you go ahead and do that, and God will care for you." [01:15:04] (Download)

9) "Call out to the Lord and He will answer you, showing you great and unsearchable things you do not know, guiding you into His perfect will." [01:15:45] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?