Daniel Fast

As we approach the end of the fast we usually expect something "big" to happen and sometimes it does. But the real "big" takes place during the fast. We are reminded that we need less of the world and more of Him. We get in touch with our inner self, the real me. We realize our need for His constant companionship.

I'm in a rush this morning so I'll touch bases with you Monday and let you know how the Sunday meal goes. Did someone say hamburger?

Be blessed

Daniel Fast

It took me a long time to get on my blog today. I had the . in the wrong place. Actually, I wasn't supposed to put one there at all. I hate it when I do stuff like that, sure could use a cup of coffee to calm me down. Oh well, just 3 more days. We actually go off the DF Sunday at lunch. I have plans to stop by S'bucks and take my coffee to Outback and order a steak, just kidding, maybe.

Seriously, it hasn't been all that bad but now and then it just hits me. Then I read this am about S'bucks closing more stores and profit down 69%. SURELY they won't close ours here, say it ain't so. No I'm not addicted. I can quit anytime, it's just the assurance that it's there in case I need, ( I mean want), a cup.

I wish I had that kind of thirst for God, all the time. Oh I do on Sunday and much of the week. But sometimes I do my religious duty out of obligation. I read but don't pay attention sometimes. I pray but it's just mumbling way too often.

But I've prayed real prayers this week. I met with and talked to a lot of hurting people this week. I enjoy ministering to people but I can't do anything for anyone but God can. He can heal the hurts, mend the hearts and strengthen the weak. I love Him. I want more of Him. I want Him to have more of me,

Later,
Steve

Daniel Fast Day ????

It's been a while since I've written about the fast. Let's see, I've got 7 days remaining counting today and 21-7= 14 so I guess this is day 14. I went to NC last Friday due to the death of J. Johnson's mother and the weekend, well you know how weekends are.

You know the food thing hasn't been that bad. Maybe next year I'll fast tv. Several people in the church are and I've heard several testimonies about how it is changing their lives with more time to spend with family, have friends over. At least one family had a worship night. It's amazing how much time tv takes away from our ability to do the things we need to be doing.

Teresa and I read Mark 6&7 this morning. It reminded us that we have an awesome God and even when people turn against us we have a friend in Jesus. We're going to read chapter 10 tonight and see what else God has for us.

I'll talk to you tomorrow. Teresa is baking me a sweet potato tonight so I'm out of here.

Daniel Fast Day11

I will be traveling to NC today, attending the funeral of a friend's mother.I will resume blog Saturday.

Daniel fast Day 11

Well I'm more than half way. And like I said on day 1 it's the mental focus and preparation that causes this fast to work. For instance, I stopped at the Wal-Mart this morning and purchased some food items for the next couple of days. I had to think and prepare. Teresa and I usually eat healthy 90% of the time anyway, the other 10% for me is tea cookies lol, but on the DF we are more deliberate about what we eat. As a result we more focused on the spiritual person as well. It puts us in control more.

So no coffee or iced tea for 11 days, no sweets or meat. I had some tofu on a salad yesterday. It kind of tasted like chicken but I ate it more for the protein than the taste. I've consumed many cups of decaf herbal tea. I think it's the habit of having a cup in my hand. So just 10 to go. I could eat like this all the time but probably won't. However, I will be more conscience of what I'm eating. I need to do this DF a couple times a year.

The scripture reading today is Ezekiel 47. It's a must read. www.biblegateway.com. It talks of the river of God rising and cleansing. I prospers and empowers as it flows and gets deeper. We need a deeper river flowing in us and through us. Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow.

Daniel Fast Day 10

As I mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of fasting,(the main one), is that you are more sensitive to the spiritual. As Mark Pierce stated this morning at Bible study, when he sits down to read the scriptures his mind doesn't wonder after 2 0r 3 versus. He's more aware of what he is reading and may read more than he intended.

It happens without us even realizing it but we usually are tuned into the worldly realm rather than the spiritual realm. It's not bad "stuff" neccesarily, we're just busy, busy, busy. It's easy to go days without really talking to God or getting into His word. My point is that we need to fast often. Maybe a day or a meal per week to break the control of the flesh and the world. Again, not bad things but time consuming activities that rob of our communion with the Master.

Let's pray. God help us today to keep You as the center of our day. When we are approachd by fear or doubt may faith flourish. If temptation comes give us power to say no. Help us to manifest your love to all we come in contact with. Amen.

Daniel Fast Day 9

This has nothing to do with the fast but why did they cancel school here today?

Teresa made some delicious soup this week end and it was even better last night. She is going to post the recipe for the soup and also a dessert item she made out of carob. For some reason food sure has tasted better the last 9 days.

As we enter a new political era in our country, more than ever before we must pray that the heart of the president will be turned toward God. The challenges facing us monumental. My greatest concern deals with moral and ethical issues but there are many items Mr. Obama must deal with. He needs our prayers. The Bible says that God put leaders in and removes them. He has a Master plan. Pieces of the apocalyptic puzzle are coming together. Jesus is coming soon.

The scripture for today is Isaiah 40. As you read chapter 40, put past mistakes behind you. Allow God to take you to a new place, to give you a new measure as we talked about Monday.
This is a new year and we're fasting and praying but don't allow it to become just a new year resolution type excursion. Let God do something in your life. Have you become stale? Are you sensitive to his voice as perhaps you once were? As I said, He is coming soon. We must be ready.

In Acts chapter 3, Peter was going to the temple to pray. He met a blind man at the gate and ministered to him. He had a "divine appointment". I've been praying that God would make me aware of any divine appointments that come my way this week. Perhaps you feel as if you would like a divine appointment as well.

Let us pray. God we make ourselves available to You today. If You will direct us to someone that needs help, we will, with your help, be an instrument that You can use. To God be the glory. Amen.

I'll talk to you on day 10,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 8

I'm sorry I didn't get to write anything over the weekend. We had four friends from Indiana saying with us Saturday and Sunday so we were busy with them. It did produce some challenges but it went well. Teresa cooked what we could eat but added items to their food to make everybody happey. She did a great job. When we have company she over works herself but enjoys it very much.

I'm going to cut down on the amount of food I eat this week. As my body reacted to the changes last week I attempted to apease it with the food items I could eat. It didn't help much so this week I hope the body and mind settles down and I can focus more on the spiritual.

As Lance, our prayer pastor, mentioned last night as a result of the fast you are more spiritually sensitive when fasting. When you sit down to read or listen to a cd you able to connect with the Spirit more quickly. To clear the body and mind of the clutter is a good thing.

The scripture readings this week deal with pressing into your next measure. As you read them this week ask God to stretch you, to move you into a new area in your relationship with Him.
Todays reading is Psalm 39, 66, and 80. He has measured your days. therefore, you never want to allow the enemy to rob you of your fullness.

If you stumbled last week, start fresh today. If you aren't fasting, consider it. You won't be sorry.

Let's pray. Lord, help us today not only to be sensitive to you but to people around us as well. Bring someone into our life that needs to experience your love, the love that we have. Amen.

Keep the Faith,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 8

Daniel Fast Day 5

Teresa and I were grocery shopping last night and ran into one of our members that was shopping also. She said she was doing good on the fast but just real hungry. She had been eating only fruits and vegetables but there is so much you can do with vegetables to give them some spark and then even more dishes you can create with other vegetable based items.

I down loaded a DF cook book a few weeks ago. If you would like a copy let me know and I'll send you one. Or just google daniel fast and there is a lot of info available.

The scripture reading today is Exodus 14. God made a way where there seemed to be no way for is people. I encourage you to read it.

My blog is shorter than usual today. We have a frozen water pipe at church so pray it doesn't burst.

Sincerely,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 4

21 minus 4 = 17, oh yea! Sometimes I think a complete fast with just juice and water is easier than the DF. On a complete fast you don't have to think about what to eat or not to eat. But then I think about that cup of oatmeal I had this morning and I stop thinking like that.

The coffee hasn't really been a big problem. We started cutting down early so I've just had a very mild headache some this week. I think a bigger problem has been caused by me developing a habit over the last few months of going by the bakery 3 or 4 times a week and eating a couple, okay a few, tea cookies. They are my weakness in the world of sweets. I'm sure they will be served in heaven. So every afternoon about 3 or 4 my mind and body start screaming for SUGAR. I'm dealing with it but again the flesh and spirit are at odds. I hate my self. It is constantly causing me problems. So I'm going to Bi-Lo today, they have fresh blueberries, blackberries and strawberries on sale and somehow pretend they're tea cookies. I can do all things through Christ.

You must read the scripture for today, Isaiah 58:5-12. It describes the kind of fast God desires. If you don't have your Bible handy go to www.biblegateway.com .

You will notice today that there is a "comment" option at the bottom of this blog. Feel free to use it if you don't want to actually register and follow my blog.

Remember, 21 minus 4 =17,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 3

I am beginning to feel the affects of the change in diet. It's not that I've been hungry or weak, I can eat all the fruits and vegetables I want, but the difference is I am restraining my body from consuming anything it wants. The soul, (my mind, emotions and will), is dictating to the flesh what it can or cannot do. This is a good thing. In Romans 7 Paul speaks of the struggle with the flesh. And although the Daniel Fast is not an extreme fast it still constrains the flesh so that the spirit can become more sensitive. In other words my mind is more focused and disciplined. I stop to think and decide what I want to eat or do or say. So the big change is I'm more sensitive to the presence and voice of God. This also is a good thing.

If you're fasting food and struggling I urge you to hang in there. It will get easier after you break the will of the flesh. If you're fasting tv do something during your usual tv time such as reading or visiting someone, etc. And of course the plan is to spend more time with God, considering His goodness and mercy.

God is looking for people that will listen to Him and follow Him. We're busy people, too busy. And through this fast we will refocus on Him. I urge you to maintain some of the new habits you develop over the next few days. Let's continue to make any effort necessary to keep Him first in our lives.

Until tomorrow,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 2

Dinner was good last night after the 24 hour fast although I was not as hungry as I thought I would be. We had vegetable fajitas, see pic to left. Teresa put sliced potatoes in it and I pretended they were strips of chicken. She is going to post the recipe later this morning. Before dinner I had some carrots and hummus dip. I pretended it was chips and salsa. Hey, you have to have a plan.

I brought an apple and some carrots and celery sticks this morning and some of the veggie fajitas for lunch. It seems that I can feel my body adjusting to the change in food.

The scripture reading today was in Isaiah 52:7-12. It speaks of God restoring Jerusalem. As we pray for revival in America let's not forget that God is in charge. And if we are to have revival it must begin with us, the people of God. Verse 11 speaks of purifying ourselves and then verse 12 is my favorite. It tells me that God will go before me and watch my back also. He has our back, amen.

I'll close with a prayer. God, I ask you today for a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit. As I gain control of my flesh through fasting I release my spirit to be energized and connected to you as never before. Help me to stand strong for you and to be a witness for you. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of people around me , especially the ones that are walking in darkness and don't realize the need for you. I want to be the pleasing to you today. Amen

Blessings,
Pastor Steve

Daniel Fast Day 1

Well here we go, day 1. Teresa and I had a light lunch Sunday. We shared a hamburger and a order of fries. Is that light? We don't eat read meat often and we very rarely eat fries but the thought of not being able to eat it for the next three weeks, well you understand. The flesh is a wicked thing. We cut down on coffee last week. We tried the "cold turkey" approach once, bad move.

Then we started our 24 hour liquid fast which includes water, juice if needed and decaf herbal tea. We didn't have anything to eat after lunch, no breakfast or lunch today, then we'll start tonight with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, etc. We will continue to drink water and decaf herbal tea. Teresa may need to drink some juice due to her diabetes. Of course she won't need as much insulin due to fact that she won't be consuming as many carbs.

The purpose of a fast is to reveal who or what's in control of your life. Regardless of what you're fasting, food, tv, electronics, etc., you're gaining control of that area of your life. Then we spend concentrated time in the Word and prayer which moves us closer to God. It's that more of Him-less of us thing.

Speaking of the Word our Bible reading today in Isaiah 52:1-6 reminds me that God is in control. We need that reminder in this time of economic downturns, political confusion and social unrest. America isn't the only country that going through tough times. The world is in turmoil. We see and hear about the wars, about starving people and diseases out of control. I think I read about these things somewhere, Matt. 24.

The secret to a fast is to be prepared. If you leave for work with no snacks or prepared lunch, you'll get hungry and rush to the vending machine. We went to the grocery store last week, took our food list and purchased at least a weeks worth of food and snacks. There really is a lot you can eat on this Daniel Fast. Some of the "soy meat" doesn't have additives and tastes real good. If you stumble don't let it defeat you. Get back on track, make better plans and move forward.
If you need a food or scripture list call the church and we'll send you one 476-6316.

Let me know how you're doing. Send me some food ideas that you find. Share with me what the Lord is doing in your life. We serve an awesome God.

Your Fasting Friend,
Pastor Steve