When Your Fast Is Seen by One

Dec 28, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God's Hidden Treasures in Darkness

In times of difficulty, it can feel like we are surrounded by darkness, with no hope in sight. However, the word of God reminds us that even in these challenging moments, God promises to reveal hidden treasures and riches. These adversities, though painful, can be the very catalysts that strengthen us, make us wiser, and bring us to a deeper understanding of His plan. Embrace the lessons learned through hardship, for they are not obstacles but pathways to God's profound blessings. [01:00:27]

Bible Passage:
"I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel." (Isaiah 45:3, ESV)

Reflection:
When you reflect on a past challenge that felt like darkness, what is one unexpected positive outcome or lesson that God revealed to you through that experience?

Day 2: The Power of Intentional Spiritual Training

Our faith is not meant to be a casual, once-a-week commitment. It is a daily, twenty-four-seven walk with Jesus Christ that requires intentional effort and active practice. Just as physical training builds strength in our bodies, spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting build strength in our spirits. It is time to stop apologizing for our beliefs and to actively train ourselves in godliness, for this training yields benefits not only in this life but also in the life to come. [01:32:59]

Bible Passage:
"For while physical training is of some value, godliness has value for all things, holding promise for the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8, ESV)

Reflection:
Considering the spiritual disciplines you currently practice, what is one area where you feel God is inviting you to be more intentional in your training, and what small, consistent step could you take this week to begin?

Day 3: The Radiance of God's Presence

When we spend dedicated time in God's presence, seeking Him through prayer and fasting, a transformation occurs within us. This was evident in Moses' experience on Mount Sinai, where his face radiated with God's glory after forty days and nights. This divine radiance is not meant to be hidden but is a testament to our encounter with the King of Kings. Embrace this glory, for it signifies that you have been in the presence of the Most High. [01:40:49]

Bible Passage:
"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." (Exodus 34:29, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a time you felt particularly close to God. What outward or inward changes did you notice in yourself after that experience, and how can you intentionally cultivate more of those moments?

Day 4: Persistent Prayer and Divine Intervention

When we earnestly seek God, even when faced with spiritual opposition, our prayers are heard. Daniel's experience illustrates that while the answer to his prayer was immediate, a spiritual battle delayed its arrival. This reminds us that even when answers seem slow, God is at work, and He calls on heavenly forces to ensure His promises are fulfilled. Hold onto your faith, knowing that God's timing is perfect, and He is always on time. [01:50:50]

Bible Passage:
"Then he continued, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'" (Daniel 10:12, ESV)

Reflection:
In what area of your life have you been praying persistently, and how can you continue to trust God's timing and His ultimate plan, even when the answer isn't immediately apparent?

Day 5: Fasting for National Crisis and Personal Power

Esther's courageous decision to call a fast for her people facing a national crisis reveals the profound impact of unified prayer and sacrifice. She understood that before approaching the king, a period of fasting was necessary to prepare herself and her community. This discipline is not for show but for accessing God's power to confront challenges, whether personal or national. By fasting in secret, we invite God's reward and the strength to overcome any obstacle. [01:54:26]

Bible Passage:
"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16, ESV)

Reflection:
When you consider the significant challenges facing our communities or nation, what is one specific way you feel God might be inviting you to participate in a season of prayer and fasting to seek His intervention and wisdom?

Sermon Summary

Believers are called back to disciplined, daily devotion: prayer and fasting are not occasional theatrical displays but the steady training ground for godly strength. The practice of fasting is presented as a means of access — it refines the soul, prepares the body, and positions the believer to receive hidden revelation and power. Biblical examples demonstrate different outcomes of disciplined seeking: Moses returns from God’s presence visibly changed, Daniel receives delayed but decisive revelation after intense mourning and fasting, and Esther mobilizes corporate fasts to confront a national crisis. Fasting is not performance; it is private posture. When practiced humbly and faithfully it produces a residual glory, opens spiritual portals, and readies people to carry God’s presence into public crises.

The church is reframed from a spiritual hospital to a gym for the soul: a place to build spiritual muscles through repeated disciplines so that congregants are prepared to meet real-life adversities with prayerful power, not mere sentiment. Spiritual laziness is critiqued — physical training without spiritual formation leaves Christians unable to meet the spiritual demands of leadership, healing, and deliverance. The reality of spiritual warfare is acknowledged: answers can be delayed by opposition, requiring persistence and even angelic intervention. Practical cautions accompany the call: fast without showmanship, care for one’s health as part of stewardship, and cultivate community that celebrates Christ continually. Ultimately, preparation matters — heaven’s gifts come to those who practice godliness, who shut the door, who fast in faith, and who let private devotion translate into public fruitfulness for the kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Train yourself daily in godliness Spiritual maturity is learned, not inherited; it requires disciplined repetition of prayer, Scripture, and fasting. Regular training changes responses, enlarges spiritual capacity, and builds a steady confidence in God that does not depend on emotion or spectacle. A life formed by daily practice becomes the conduit through which God moves in crisis and blessing. [92:21]
2. Fasting unlocks treasures in darkness Adversity is not merely an obstacle but a fertile ground where God can hide riches and revelation for those who seek him. Fasting reframes hardship, letting God extract meaning, wisdom, and blessing from places that seemed barren. What looks like darkness can become the context for divine provision and unexpected treasure. [58:25]
3. Private devotion precedes public power The power given openly in ministry is often the fruit of unseen, private disciplines done without fanfare. Humble secrecy in fasting protects motive and enlarges intimacy with God, so the public fruit is authentic and sustainable. Power that is prepared in private resists exposure and produces lasting transformation. [119:09]
4. Persistent fasting overcomes delayed answers Spiritual opposition can postpone responses; persistence in fasting and prayer is the means by which God’s timing is secured. The narrative of delayed angelic arrival teaches that holding to faith through resistance shapes both the answer and the worshipper. Patience in seeking refines trust and brings breakthroughs that sudden petitions cannot. [108:43]
5. The church is a spiritual gym The community gathered is meant to strengthen spiritual muscles, not merely comfort the weak in passivity. Regular, disciplined engagement—corporate and personal—creates a people ready to fight spiritual battles, heal, and lead. When the congregation trains together, it becomes a place of power, readiness, and multiplied fruit. [94:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[82:25] - Opening and Scripture Reading
[83:55] - Matthew 6:16-18 — Fasting Explained
[90:24] - Prayer and Fasting United
[97:40] - Moses: Radiance from God
[101:49] - Daniel: Vision After Fasting
[112:27] - Esther: Fasting Before Crisis
[119:09] - Private Fasting, Public Reward
[124:19] - Call to Spiritual Discipline
[126:41] - Invitation and Response
[137:12] - Benediction and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary:

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV)
"And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with their sad faces, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. 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 what is in secret will reward you."

Isaiah 45:3 (ESV)
"I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name."

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Have nothing to do with godless genealogies and old wives' tales. Rather, train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Observation questions

The sermon emphasizes that spiritual maturity is learned through disciplined repetition of prayer, Scripture, and fasting. How does the passage in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 support this idea of training for godliness?
The summary mentions that fasting can unlock treasures in darkness, reframing hardship to extract meaning and wisdom. How does Isaiah 45:3 speak to this concept of finding hidden riches in difficult times? [58:25]
Matthew 6:16-18 instructs believers to fast in secret, not for show. What specific actions are mentioned that hypocrites do, and what is the contrasting instruction for believers? [01:24:13]
The sermon highlights that private devotion precedes public power. How does the instruction in Matthew 6:17-18 about fasting in secret connect with this idea? [01:24:34]

Interpretation questions

The sermon suggests that the church is meant to be a "gym for the soul" rather than just a "spiritual hospital." [01:34:54] How does the idea of "training" in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 support this reframing of the church's purpose?
The summary states that fasting is a "means of access" that "refines the soul, prepares the body, and positions the believer to receive hidden revelation and power." [00:00] How might the "treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places" mentioned in Isaiah 45:3 be understood as the "hidden revelation and power" that fasting can help unlock? [58:25]
The sermon critiques spiritual laziness and the idea that faith is only a "once a week event." [01:26:17] How does the instruction to "train yourself for godliness" in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 challenge a passive approach to faith?
The sermon contrasts the "performance" of fasting with a "private posture." [00:00] How does the instruction in Matthew 6:16-18 about not making your fasting obvious to others relate to this distinction between performance and private posture? [01:24:13]

Application questions

The sermon calls believers to train themselves daily in godliness through disciplines like prayer and fasting. [01:32:21] What is one specific, tangible step you can take this week to intentionally train yourself in godliness, beyond just attending Sunday service?
We are encouraged to see adversity not just as an obstacle but as fertile ground where God can hide riches and revelation. [59:44] Can you think of a past or present challenge in your life where you might be able to seek out the "treasures of darkness" that God might be offering? [58:25]
The sermon emphasizes that private devotion precedes public power. [01:59:09] How can you ensure that your spiritual disciplines, like prayer or fasting, are primarily for your Father who sees in secret, rather than for the approval of others? [01:24:34]
The idea of the church as a "spiritual gym" suggests that we are meant to build spiritual muscles through repeated disciplines. [01:34:54] What is one spiritual "muscle" you feel needs strengthening, and what kind of "workout" (discipline) could help you build it?
The sermon acknowledges that spiritual opposition can delay answers, requiring persistence in fasting and prayer. [01:48:43] When you face delays in answered prayer, how can you cultivate persistence and trust, rather than discouragement?
The sermon warns against spiritual laziness and the idea that faith is only a once-a-week event. [01:26:17] What is one area where you might be allowing spiritual laziness to creep into your life, and how can you actively combat it this week?
The sermon encourages us to practice godliness in private, shutting the door, so that private devotion translates into public fruitfulness for the kingdom. [02:02:38] What is one way you can intentionally practice a spiritual discipline in private this week, trusting that God sees and will reward it? [01:58:49]

Sermon Clips

47s

#GloryLooksGoodOnYou

“``My brothers and sisters, that's what that's what happens. That was that's what happens when you're in the presence of God that God will give you residual of his glory. His Shekinah glory will shine so bright that it gets on you. And I'm here to let you know God's glory looks good on you. You God's glory looks good on you, and never ever ever ever ever put a veil over your face because folks are afraid to come around you. Lord, help her. Because their fear is not so much you, but their fear is being exposed.”

84s

#MadeBecauseOfAdversity

“There was a time where I used to say, we've made it in spite of adversity. But now I'm mature, and I say we've made it because of adversity. Y'all look at that later. That oftentimes in the midst of adversities, we don't we don't wanna be there. We don't like it. But it is the adversities that God will give us hidden treasure, promises. And it is because of what you've been through that you're here today, that you are stronger, that you are wiser, of what God has brought us through. So we made it because and not in spite of.”

55s

#PersevereInPrayer

“I I know it seems as if that prayer that you've been praying all of 2025 don't seem like it's coming, but you hold on. In the Bible, it says twenty one days. I was fighting, but I held on to the answer. And so Daniel said when he fasted and he prayed, when he was seeking God for an answer, and it seemed like the answer wasn't coming. And that's what happens oftentimes when we fast. We are looking for quick responses. We're looking for immediate responses. But sometimes the answer don't show up until days down the road. Lord, help me here. That's what happens when you fast. Your answer comes.”

71s

#FastForTheNation

“And the text reveals I said I was just gonna talk to y'all. The text reveals that she called a fast because Esther was dealing with a national issue. Esther was dealing with a national crisis. The government of Esther's day had some people in congress who did not like her people, and they were creating legislation, which would require her people to be killed. Y'all missed it. Let me say it again. Esther was dealing with a national issue, was dealing with a national crisis. The government, of that day had some folks in the senate and the house of representatives who did not like her people, and they were creating laws to try to kill her people.”

51s

#PrepareForGod

“The things of god are for people who prepare for them. Heaven is prepared for prepared people. The things of god are for those whom prepare for. And if you desire god in your life, if you desire anointing and power, if you desire leadership, you desire that what only God can give, you can't be spiritually lazy.”

47s

#PowerOverPerformance

“That's why that's why I'm talking about this as your pastor because I want us to be spiritually strong that whenever the world comes in and presents a problem, that Turner can be the place where power is demonstrated. I I'm not into we're not interested in lights, camera, action. We're not and we are lit we are interested in power. We are interested in authentic community of where the people of God come together. And when we call on the name of God, it gets heaven's attention. But you cannot do it if you are spiritually lazy.”

35s

#TrainToBeGodly

“But the challenge is is us staying in our bed saying we'll do it tomorrow, saying we'll have next week, and that's just how the devil is when it comes to spiritual disciplines. You can pray tomorrow. You can fast next week. Oh, you could put it off on the devil will try to convince us that it's something we can put off, but the less you put it off, the weaker you become. So look at your neighbor. Say train yourself to be godly.”

51s

#PrayAndFastForBreakthrough

“so that we are not like the disciples who came to Jesus and asked him, why couldn't we cast that demon out? And Jesus responded, this type of demon only comes out. Am I talking scripture? Through prayer and you can't get the monkey off your back because you're spiritually lazy. There are some demons that only come out through prayer and fasting.”

80s

#TrainForGodliness

“But Paul says, you have to train yourself to be godly, and it is an every single day process. Next verse. Physical training is good, Joy, but training for godliness is much better. Promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. If I just waste no. I shouldn't say waste because it's not a waste. If I take all of the time that I have in a day, brother Chuck, and I work out to train my physical body, But if I do not take time to train my spiritual body, my physical body is gonna look good, but my spiritual body is gonna be weak. My my brothers and sisters, God is saying unto us in this particular season, while you're working on training yourself physically, it benefits nothing if you don't train yourself spiritually. Because what is the point in having a strong body and a weak spirit?”

82s

#WisdomLeadsToHealing

“it's not wise that we ask God to heal us, but yet we continue to do the things to hurt us. I'm preaching. And so I'm just wanting to not only magnify the fact that God is a healer, but I wanna magnify the fact that God gave us wisdom. And a lot of times, it is the choices and the decisions that we make that will sometimes cause illnesses to come upon our body. We know we're gonna, you know, get something at some point or another, but we shouldn't rush it. And so we must try to do as much as possible to prevent that world out there that doesn't care anything about you, we gotta start taking care of ourselves and doing the things that are necessary so that we can have health. Amen.”

29s

#FaithEveryday

“Our faith in Jesus is not a once a week event that takes place between the hours of 9AM and 12PM. And as if when the benediction stops, you cease to be a child of God. Our faith and our walk with Jesus Christ is every single day, Sunday through Saturday, twenty four seven.”

34s

#UnashamedBeliever

“Our faith in Jesus is not something that you pick up when you need it and put it down when it's inconvenient. It is past time for us who believe in Jesus Christ to stop apologizing for what and who we believe in. Never ever be ashamed of your faith in Jesus Christ.”

37s

#FastInSecret

“And when you fast, don't do it like the hypocrites do. But they wanna be sick of people. But when you fast, do it in secret. Put on your best clothes. Put on your best perfume. And God who sees what you're doing in secret will reward and give you power in the open.”

59s

#FastingOpensDoors

“My brothers and sisters, listen. Do not neglect the discipline of fasting. It gives you access to signs, wonders, and miracles. And when God says, fast, it may not be for an immediate response, but because he's getting you prepared for what is to come.”

32s

#PrayerAndFastingPower

“Beloved, please hear what the spirit of God is saying unto us in this season. There is a lethal combination of prayer and fasting. The last time we shared in our spiritual disciplines, we talked about the secret of the shut door. And so this Sunday, we want to deal with when only one person sees you fasting.”

34s

#SecretPrayerPublicPower

“And when you pray, when you fast, shut the door. And your father who sees you in in the secret place when you stand before the public will give you power.”

20s

#SpiritualWarfareIsReal

“Whoo. Lord, have mercy. And the angel said to him, Nikki, as soon as you pray, the answer was given. And I was on my way to give it to you, but the devil blocked me. Lord, have mercy.”

17s

#AngelsFightForAnswers

“the angel had to call on Michael so that Michael could start handling business. But I come with the answer. Here's the thing. Though the messenger got in the fight with Lucifer, he still had the answer.”

28s

#FastForTheAnswer

“When you fast when you fast like Moses, you look different. When you fast like Daniel, your answer comes. Can I tell you what my grandmother would say right here? If she was here, she said, tell him he may not come when you want him, but he's always on time. Can I close it out?”

33s

#GodUsesThePrepared

“What I like about this is the Bible does not tell us the age of Esther, but tradition suggests that she was just a teenage girl. God could have used anybody. But God saw fit because he saw somebody who had trained themselves.”

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When Your Fast Is Seen by One

Devotional

Day 1: God's Hidden Treasures in Darkness

Day 2: The Power of Intentional Spiritual Training

Day 3: The Radiance of God's Presence

Day 4: Persistent Prayer and Divine Intervention

Day 5: Fasting for National Crisis and Personal Power

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

When Your Fast Is Seen by One

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