Great Rewards
Matthew 6:17-18 (TPT) "When you fast, don’t let it be obvious, but instead, wash your face and groom yourself and realize that your Father in the secret place is the one who is watching all that you do in secret and will continue to reward you openly."
Rewards - who doesn't want a reward? Everyone loves rewards so much that most major companies are finding ways to reward their clients, their shoppers, their loyal customers with rewards. It keeps them coming back for more and more and more of what they have to offer.
God is also in the rewarding business. He loves to bless His children and we love receiving His rewards but how many are willing to put in the time? Many people desire to be fit and they put in the time to exercise and diet but even more people just admire the thought of the reward and do nothing to earn it.
As Christians we may have someone in mind who we say is the "ideal Christian" and they aspire to be like them, yet when they are told how to become a mature Christian, they decide to settle and say no thanks. Putting down the phone in order to pray to God and enter into the throne room just isn't appealing to the mediocre Christian. They are content with being miserable and complaining about all of their problems. Who wants to live that way?! There is a much better life waiting for you if you are willing to put in the time with Jesus. There are great rewards waiting for you - are you willing to fast, to say no to your flesh - your body - and yes to your spirit that is crying out for intimacy with Jesus…
If you suffer from illness and disease the best thing for your body is a water fast, this isn't something most doctors want to brag on because it does nothing for their business. The reward for your fast would not only help spiritually but also physically - one reward is your health regained! Cleansing the body of all toxins and waste is a great reward on its own yet God will bless you even more because He is just that good!
All fasting should be done in wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit and for some under a doctor's supervision. The older you are the more precautions you should take. For one who is consumed by other's drama and news feed and thinks they may die if they go without food for 24 hours, fasting social media would be a wonderful beginning - eliminating your time scrolling through the thoughts and opinions of others and replacing it with time spent worshiping Jesus! It will transform your mind which will transform your life. If you seek rewards my friend, seek Jesus! What you do in secret He will reward you openly.
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
