Our Heavenly Father speaks of denying oneself, the essence of fasting. When my focus moves from inward to outward, Love goes forth and so does the light of HIS Glory.
FATHER spoke concerning fasting in Isaiah 58:
6“[Rather] is this not the fast which I choose,
To undo the bonds of wickedness,
To tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke,
To let the oppressed go free
And break apart every [enslaving] yoke?
7“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not to hide yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?
8“Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth;
Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity],
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. AMP
Those who give to others with a pure heart are in essence fasting. Consider the benefits FATHER states: healing, peace, prosperity, and most of all, the Glory of THE LORD will be our rear guard! Our light will break out and will draw people toward us and seek out what makes us different.
9“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away from your midst the yoke [of oppression],
The finger pointed in scorn [toward the oppressed or the godly], and [every form of] wicked (sinful, unjust) speech,
FATHER will deal with our enemies and make them of none effect in our lives. HE will execute righteous judgment on our behalf and we will see them fall by our wayside. I have witnessed this reality many times over the years.
10And if you offer yourself to [assist] the hungry
And satisfy the need of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
11“And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” AMP
When we help those in need, FATHER takes notice and will continually guide us in all our affairs throughout each day. HE will restore our health and perpetuate HIS blessings upon us. This is what I call a true fast. When I deny “self”, I open the windows of Heaven and allow FATHER to overtake me with HIS Love.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 3:
17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of His Love will become the very source and root of your life.
18-19 Then you will be empowered to discover what every Holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing Love of Christ in all Its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His Love! How enduring and inclusive It is! Endless Love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant Love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
20 Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.
You and I are HIS vessels on this earth to do HIS bidding by expressing HIS Love flowing in us and through us to help and minister to others in need, no matter what their station in life is. The poor, the hungry, the naked, and the imprisoned are all important to FATHER thus they should be important to us as well.