Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 6:
1 “Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of Your Heavenly Father.
2 So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people, like the hypocrites in the streets and in the marketplace. They’ve already received their reward!
3 But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself.
4 Give secretly and Your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”
Jesus expects us to give to the poor without drawing attention to ourselves. This is what Servias Ministries does with your charitable giving. We make it clear to the teachers, counselors, and administration that we do not want to draw attention to ourselves. It is all about the kids in need.
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to Your Father Who is in the secret place; and Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Jesus also expects us to pray often. I suggest you begin every day in prayer and let the peace of GOD overtake you as you prepare for the day ahead.
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to Your Father who is in the secret place; and Your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Jesus expects us to fast in secret. The disciples were well aware of fasting for it was practiced throughout the Old Testament. On the Day of Atonement, every Jew fasts.
Moses recorded by THE SPIRIT in Leviticus chapter 23:
26 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble yourselves [by fasting] and present an offering by fire to the LORD.
28 You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God.
29 If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them].
To atone means to: to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:—appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
When we fast, we bring our soul and flesh into submission so that we can focus our attention on hearing in the spirit. Our spiritual sensitivity improves as well as the power of The Holy Spirit operating in our lives.