Sunday, October 31, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY TWENTY-ONE

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING

I so appreciate everyone who has been praying this past twenty-one days.  This focused time of prayer has been a blessing to our church and to me.  Hopefully, you have heard God's voice as you have been praying.  Some of you have been listening for the Lord to speak to you during the fast, but God did not have the messenger arrive for Daniel until the end of the 21 days.  I would not be surprised if that was the case for many of you.

WHAT HAS GOD SAID TO YOU?

The sharing in worship this morning was very special.  God is calling us to serve one another and our community.  He wants us to "wash one another's feet."  This is very humbling.  Nevertheless, when Jesus finished washing the disciples' feet, He told them to "Go and do likewise."  Can we do any less than what Jesus has done for us?  Of course not.

We would really be interested in hearing more of what the Lord has said to you.  Please send your responses to us or comment at the end of the blog.

BE ALERT
After Jesus finished one of his fasts, the devil came to tempt Him.  Interestingly, we often think of Jesus being weak at the end of a 40 day fast.  However, He was spiritually strong when He completed the fast.  This is when He chose the twelve disciples including Judas Iscariot.  My, I can only imagine what He must have thought as He made that deliberate choice.  I wonder what all was behind Satan's attack.   Could we be vulnerable to attacks right now as well.  You can count on it.  Be sure to be alert and watchful.  God has drawn you closer to Him and now the darkness will want to cover your light.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
John 16:33 KJV - "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
1Peter 5:6-10 NIV -"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

God Bless you  as continue to humble yourself and seek the Lord.
Pastor Bill

Saturday, October 30, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY NINETEEN AND TWENTY

Let's make sure that we finish well.  Our fast is nearing completion.  However, we are not finished yet.  We need to take the time to listen carefully, especially as we are concluding our fast.  Daniel did not have his breakthrough until the end of the twenty-one days.

See if you can get some alone time with the Lord this weekend.  This may be one of those times that you take a pad of paper and a pencil and write down what God says to you.  Make this a time to listen not a time to make requests of the Lord.  God is in His Holy Temple.  I encourage you to keep silent before Him.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
Habakkuk 2:20 NIV "But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."

Sunday's worship celebration will include time for people to share what God has been saying during the fast.  Please come ready to share your experiences with the Lord.  We will also serve one another at a table of food and in some other ways as well.
God Bless,
Pastor Bill

Thursday, October 28, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY EIGHTEEN

The end of our fast is coming so fast.  How have you changed since the start of the fast?  I know several of us have lost weight.  That is a side benefit of the fast.  How has your relationship with the Lord changed?  What has God shown you that He wants to adjust in your life?  What has God revealed to you about your blind spots and hidden sins?  Have you had time to just sit still and listen to God?

As I look back on the past eighteen days, I have had some invaluable times of confession.  In fact, God has given me insights that have set me free.  When I was feeling angry, God released me from the negative thoughts and showed me that He was pruning us.  That was such a special blessing!

God's timing is amazing to me.  With no planning on my part, God led us to do the fast at the same time that I am reading seven different books about transformation.  Then, he had our Transformation Ministries Conference right in the middle of it.  In fact, we even had a special session for our Pastor Mentor Group on "Listening."  I would love to hear what God has used to nourish and shape you during the fast.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
(Psalms 46:10-11)  ""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." {11} The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah"

God Bless,
Pastor Bill

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY SEVENTEEN

I have been reading an interesting book called "Churches That Make A Difference."  The subtitle is "Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works."  The book is full of wonderful examples of community outreach by churches of all sizes, styles and ethnicity.  The main premise of the book is that every church must be involved in holistic ministry that communicates the love of God in word and deed. 

On Sunday, we walked outside to remember that God has called us to "GO" into all the world.  God invites us to draw closer to Him by loving the people around us.  We are also invited to do this in tangible ways. In the parable about the goats and the sheep, Jesus says that we serve Him by serving the needy.

On our fast, we have been trying to connect with the Lord through prayer.  It is quite possible that the Lord has sent you to minister to someone.  Did you know that you were actually getting closer to the Lord in the process of serving?  I wonder if this is what we are supposed to be doing during this fast?

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
(Matthew 25:35-36)  "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, {36} I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"

God bless you as you seek the Lord.
Pastor Bill

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY SIXTEEN

I have been rereading Daniel 12 and it struck me that Daniel fasted because he earnestly wanted to know what God was saying to him.  God had given him a moving vision of the end of time.  It was so troubling that he mourned in prayer and fasted for three weeks.  While he was praying, Gabriel was dispatched from Heaven to give him an explanation of his vision.  However, Gabriel was delayed by a supernatural battle in the heavenlies with the Prince of Persia.

Have you been praying for God to speak to you during this fast?  Have you made sure to build the time into your day to listen to the Lord as well as time to confess?  Perhaps,  like Daniel, we will not receive a clear response from God until the end of the fast.  If so, Sunday's worship should be very special.  Therefore, we are going to arrange the worship celebration to give time for people to share what God said to them.  I am looking forward to hearing what God has been saying to you.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
(2 Chronicles 7:14)  "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

God bless you as you keep listening to the Lord.
Pastor Bill

Monday, October 25, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY FIFTEEN

We had a great worship yesterday.  There was so much going on with the audiovisuals and the computer that it got funny how much was going wrong.  Nevertheless, God showed up as He promises to do when we focus on Him and not the circumstances.  Once again, we learned the importance of dedicated prayer even when things are most challenging.

Have you been learning about the value of prayer during the Daniel Fast?  I hope so.  God is giving us a great opportunity to seek Him together.  I know that I have already been blessed by the times of prayer and even the confession that I have had.  The Lord showed me some important things that I needed to turn over to Him.  It has really been refreshing to release things to Him in prayer.

God has been reminding us that we have been called to take His love to our community.  He has given us a mission that is so important.  People are on their way to "everlasting shame and contempt" (Daniel 12:2) without the love of Jesus Christ.  We must share the reason for the hope that we have.  We must care about them because God does.

Our fast is nearly over.  Keep humbling yourself and listening to God.  He has something that He wants to share with you.
God Bless,
Pastor Bill

Thursday, October 21, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY ELEVEN

Congratulations!  We have made it to the mid-point of the fast.  Today has been a tough day for me with hunger yet a great day of hearing from the Lord.  I was reminded that God created the confusion we have in communication at the Tower of Babel and therefore communication is not good unless He is in the center of it.

The fast is about putting the Lord at the center of our lives and seeking Him.  Have you been hearing from Him?  What has He shown you?

God reminded me that our pain is a gift that He gives us to help us become like Him.  When we focus on Him, we are set free from our pain.  We are free to learn from it and even be blessed by it. 


Tonight at the Transmin Conference we were reminded that God called us to be salt and light.  The purpose we are here is to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea Samaria and to the ends of the earth.  What would someone say is the mission of our church if they observed what we do each Sunday?  The mission of every church is to be witnesses.  Are we?

We really need to examine our lives and see if we are doing what God called us to do.  Are we loving our neighbor like He wants?  Do we care about the people around us like He does?  This is part o the humbling that God has called us to in the Daniel Fast.  What do you think?

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
Mark 10:27 NIV - "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'"
God bless,
Pastor Bill

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY TEN

I am sitting with a friend at Paula's and we have been discussing what "defiles" us.  We got on this subject because the Daniel Fast is about denying some of our fleshly wants by eating only fruit and vegetables.  One of the focuses of the fast  is on removing our sin.  This is what it means when we say that we are "humbling ourselves."  The diet actually causes us to think about what we put in our lives.  It helps us to evaluate what is "unclean" in us.

In Matthew 15 Jesus talks about what makes us unclean.  He says that the food is not what makes us unclean.  Matthew 15:11 NIV  "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "

What is in your heart?  I have been asking this each day and I have also been asking God to reveal what is in our hearts.

Have you listened to what comes out of your mouth?  What are you talking about when you are in conversations with your family?  What do you talk about behind someone's back?  What do talk about with your humor?  Examine your heart by examining what comes out of your mouth. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
Matthew 5:8 NIV  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

God Bless you with a Pure Heart!
Pastor Bill

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY NINE

What a night!  News of the tragedy across the street has already hit the Television News Stations.  There is so much pain right around us.  In this case, right across the street from the church office.  Tragedies like this make me realize how urgent the times are.  We must have a sense of urgency as we see people dying without hope.  God help us to give hope to a hurting world.

Our fast is about connecting with the Lord as we humble ourselves.  We cannot be too concerned about evangelism.  People are dying for hope and life right around us.  We must encourage one another and spur one another on especially as we see the Day of the Lord approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)  "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

One of the things I am praying is that God will keep us alert to the divine appointments that occur right in front of us.  Some in the church have already offered to help clean up the house across the street.  Wow!  That is servanthood!  God help us to see the needs before it is too late.
God Bless!
Pastor Bill

Monday, October 18, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY EIGHT

We have begun our second week of the fast.  How are you doing?  I am amazed at how many meetings I have around food.  It is no wonder it is so easy for me to gain weight.  God has given me the strength to stay committed even with that big piece of cheese cake sitting in front of me.  I will have to add that Debbie has really helped me to be successful.  It has also helped to have someone to pray with me as well.

Do you have anyone praying with you on the fast?  Even though Daniel prayed alone, he also had friends who shared his faith, at his side.  In fact, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were some pretty good guys to hang around with, especially during a fast.  Some of you are doing this fast alone.  Find someone else who is on it and take some time to pray with them.   We also have some great times of prayer built into the week on Thursday morning at 6:30am and Sunday at 8:00am.  You can also pray in your Life Group or find a prayer partner.  Let's encourage one another.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD'S WORD
(Hebrews 10:22-24)  "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. {24} And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Keep humbling yourself and seeking God.
Pastor Bill

Friday, October 15, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY FIVE

We are coming to the end of our first week.  What has God been saying to you?  Have you set aside some time just to listen to God?  While you might lose some weight during this fast, the goal is to SEEK GOD.  You may have a healthier diet than normal, but the goal is to SEEK GOD.  You may even save some money on food, but the goal is to SEEK GOD.

Please read Ephesians 3:14-21 some time today.  In the middle of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians he prays that they, "may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."  I pray that this would be true for you today.  Do we "grasp" how incredible the love of God is for us?  It is "Amazing Grace."

I was going to post a Recipe of the Day on each blog.  However, there are so many recipes on the two websites that I have previously mentioned that I am simply going to note them again.  If you find a recipe that you really like and want me to post it, I will be glad to do that.  The two websites that I have noted previously are below.

God bless you as you continue to SEEK GOD.

http://daniel-fast.com/
http://thosewhohunger.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Daniel Fast Day Four

How has your prayer time been with the Lord.  We just had a wonderful time this morning at the Thursday Prayer time.  If you are available, you would be welcome to join us at 6:30am.  The next time is Sunday at 8:00am to 8:45am.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY
(Daniel 10:2-3)  "At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. {3} I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."

Yesterday I reminded you that our Daniel Fast is about connecting with God through PRAYER.  Look at the attitude Daniel had as he prayed.  This is a time of self sacrificing so that we can get even closer to the Lord.  Daniel actually was mourning.  Perhaps we should mourn for our sins and the sins of our nation.  I imagine that God mourns over the sins we all get caught up in.  His heart must break as He watches His children suffer because of choices we make.

Don't try to be too comfortable in your fast.  You may miss some of the sweetness of what God wants to give to you.  I pray that God will continue to help us humble ourselves and seek Him.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY THREE

One of the most important things to remember when doing a fast is to drink lots of water.  Not only is this part of the body cleansing itself, it is also important refreshment and necessary for hydration.  In fact, drinking water aids in the hunger pains and reduces the headaches that can come especially when one has stopped using caffeine.

Even more important than water is the reminder that the fast is about connecting with God.  Be careful not to get so focused on the foods you are eating (or the ones you are missing) that you forget to PRAY.  Let the fast remind you to pray and seek God. Seek Him by setting deliberate time to listen to His Word.  Seek Him by confessing your sins and by being silent with Him in prayer.

Our fast is about increasing our hunger for God.  Jesus said "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  Matthew 5:6

Another great site with lots of recipes and resources
I love the address of this site and how it relates to today's Scripture.  If you are looking for a good way to make oatmeal, consider the recipe on this site for Fall Harvest Oatmeal with Cinnamon Baked Apples.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY TWO

We are really early in our fast, but one key word stands out to me today.  The word is "purify."  As I was thinking about our desire to simply seek God, it seemed like God was saying "purify."  Think about the promise that God has given us in James 4:8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

God wants us to confess our sins to Him.  He promises in I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  Let's keep this as the focus of our prayers as we go through this fast.

Debbie made us a great dish of vegetables yesterday.  When I asked her for the recipe, she said that it was just vegetables cooked in a little olive oil.  To be more exact, she sliced onions, garlic, zucchini, potatoes, broccoli and mixed them with oregano in the olive oil.  Wow! I could even taste the oregano.

Let me know how you are doing in this fast and what God shows you.  Remember to purify yourself as you think about food that you want to eat.  This is a time of purifying our body and our souls.
God Bless you as you seek the Lord.
Pastor Bill

Great Link with lots of resources and recipes

Monday, October 11, 2010

DANIEL FAST DAY ONE

As we begin this time of prayer and fasting, I am convinced that God has something special in store for us.  God has called us to this time to humble ourselves and seek Him.  It was so obvious to me yesterday during worship as we learned about the ministry of Plurlife.  God has called some incredible people to go minister to kids attending Raves.  The thousands of young people looking for Purity, Love, Unity and Respect at these horrible events could  be overwhelming if it weren't for the realization that God loves each one of them.

I thank God for Colleen and Rob and the ministry they are doing.  WOW!!

God will meet us in this time if we seek Him.

Colossians 3:1-4:
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all of His glory!

RECIPE OF THE DAY:
Quick and Zesty Veggie Pasta
2 cups of Veggie Rotini
Thinly slice 2 medium red potatoes
Thinly slice 2 medium carrots
Slice 1½ red onion
1½ pablano pepper
Garlic Salt Pepper
Boil pasta in water for 10-12 minutes or until soft, sauté veggies the same time.
Add pasta to veggies.