StonePoint Church

New Year’s Resolutions
• To lose weight / exercise more / get in shape.
• To spend more time with family and try to relax more.
• Pay off debt and save money.
• To take a vacation.
• Start a new Job or career.
• Pray more / Read the Bible Daily / Get closer to God.

Many of us never get to the deeper levels or have a closer relationship with God for one simple reason…we haven’t wanted it bad enough!


If someone wants something bad enough, they will find a way to do it. It’s all about importance and priority.

A relationship is a two-way street…it takes work. We talk to God by praying and we listen to Him through His Word and through the Holy Spirit’s speaking into our lives.

Love Came Down and rescued us and set us Free!

God is always speaking – the problem is that we aren’t always listening.

God is always at work – the problem is that we aren’t always paying attention to the miracles of His work all around us.

Are we truly seeking God with all of our hearts?

Have our prayers become simply a list of wants instead of seeking to know Him better?

We can focus more on God, hear more from God, and know more about God's plans for us when we fast.

What is fasting?

Fasting was expected – When you fast…

Fasting is denying yourself so that you can be closer to God, know His will for your life better, and to know and experience Him at a deeper level.

Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose and has always been part of a relationship with God.

• When you Give
• When you Pray
• When you Fast

It’s amazing how things will be more clear to you and uncluttered and how you become more in tune with God when you fast.

Sometimes we don’t experience the power God has in our lives because we fail to get deeper with Him by fasting.

If we want deeper faith and greater power in Jesus' Name in our lives, we need to pray more and fast more.

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He was baptized, then He fasted and prayed for 40 days!!

If Jesus, being God in the flesh, God’s own Son, prayed, we should pray! If Jesus fasted – we should fast!

If you want to be closer to God or need a great breakthrough in your life, fasting might be the best way to accomplish this.

When we deny ourselves food or drink to be closer to God, with the right motives and hearts, He will be our sustenance!

When we start the year off with a fast, we start the year off right by getting closer to God and listening to what He has in store for us.


We give God our firsts!

The first part of every day, the first part of every week, the first part of each new year, the first portion of every dollar, and the first consideration in every decision!

There are 3 types of fasts listed in Scripture
• Absolute Fast – no food or water – should only be done for very short periods of time (consult your Dr.)
• Normal Fast – without food of any kind for a set amount of days – drink plenty of water & maybe fruit juices and broths
• Partial Fast – giving up particular foods and drinks for an extended period of time (see Daniel – giving up sweets, choice meats – ate only vegetables)


If it doesn’t mean anything to you, it won’t mean anything to God!


Always combine fasting with prayer and the Word during times you would normally be eating.

Simple rules to follow
•Don’t gorge yourself the day before.
•Begin eating less leading up to the fast.
•Drink plenty of water.
•Realize You will probably get headaches