The bible talks about giving God our fruits fruits. The first of our money, which is our tithe; tithe means tenth. The first day of the week; being in the house of the Lord. And the first of the year; fasting and prayer.
Jesus speaks in Matthew 6:16-18, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."
This is something that is expected from us. There are numerous accounts in God's word of people fasting and praying. Fasting and praying go hand and hand. "So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer." -Ezra 8:23. Fasting allows you to suppress your earthly flesh by putting it into submission so that your spirit man can outweigh and become stronger than your flesh. "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."- Galatians 5:17.
In Matthew 4:4 Jesus had been fasting for 40 days.
The Temptation of Jesus
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.”
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
We have to realize that we live in a spiritual world. "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Also, there are certain things we need to do in order to overcome particular areas in the spiritual realm. In Matthew 17 it speaks about how the disciples tried to cast a demon out of a man, but could not. Jesus, however did cast it out. "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:19-21).
By submitting your flesh and allowing the holy spirit to work through you, allows you to come out victorious. "Fasting and prayer together, is a biblical access point to obtain the full blessings and power over you, your marriage, children and household." You don't need to fight the devil. God's word, put in action, fights for you. You may be tempted but as long as you stand on God's word, speak it out and put it into action, you will come out victorious. James 4:7, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and HE WILL FLEE from you."
Start this year off with giving yourself to God. Write down what you are expecting from the Lord this year: increase and blessings so that you can bless others, children or more children, praying for lost love ones and those who don't know the lord etc. Jesus is coming back soon so we don't have time to waste. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy; but what you have in you is stronger than him! Resist the devil and he will flee! As you build your spirit up and put God first, you cannot lose in Jesus' name!
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7