HI! Hope you’re doing well! For the last few days I’ve been on a “Daniel” but tonight will mark the end of my first 24-hour liquid. I actually feel great!

Here’s a post from a member of our church. Read and enjoy!
The Proverb says that man plans his course, but it’s the LORD who determines his steps.
Fasting is a fabulous way to gain understanding from the Lord on “how and where” to step, to gain direction as Prov. 16:9 mentions. Jehoshaphat, in II Chron. 20:3, is an excellent example of this.

In the past, I viewed fasts with defeat from the onset, negating the fact that He used these to direct people. Instead, the focus was on what “I” couldn’t do. Failure did the happy dance as I sulked in thoughts of “I can’t do it” or “it’s too hard.” I just loved food too much and thought about it nearly every moment of the fast. This time, however, was different, as there was a key comment that brought encouragement for success to cross that bridge from “I” to “Him.”

_____________ was quoted by Pastor Mike as having said: “Fasting is not a punishment, it is a privilege.” Wow! Revelation hit with these words. Fasting is not a punishment, it is a good thing: a privilege. Even American Express touts their privileges because they know privileges are good. The spiritual type, however, are even better than any worldly type; they are God style. Sign me up!

As you venture into fasting this New Year, be encouraged. Draw close to your Strength and stand firm. Allow yourself to be filled with the privileges of the Almighty. He is faithful.

Happy New Year!

HIS,
Kristi Woods

So, this is our third day and we are in our fast. And I was wondering how you are doing? Surprisingly, I’m holding up pretty good. I actually thought that I would be thinking about food a whole lot more than I am at this point; granted, I am doing a Daniel fast but I can honestly say that things aren’t as difficult as I thought they would be. I guess maybe because we’ve been fasting the first three days of every month since August that maybe we are possibly developing a stamina for fasting. My wife said one of the things she likes about fasting is that she can deny her body and she can tell her body and her flesh, “No, you don’t need that.” That’s pretty cool. As for me sure I can think of that dream meal when I’m done but honestly I’m having a pretty good time eating tofu and fruits although I’ve had it with nuts and legumes at this point.

But can I emphasize the importance of prayer during your fast? Please make sure to set aside times of prayer so that your fasting is not in vain and done for health purposes but let’s remember that fasting’s primary purpose is to draw closer to the Lord. I’d love to hear what God is doing in your family and in your personal lives up to this point of the fast. I’d also like you to encourage you to continue to pray for brothers and sisters who need the grace from God in order to complete this fast whether it’s a Daniel, a liquid, a media or a combination of all three or even more.

So, I’ll check in tomorrow to see how everybody’s doing. Let us continue to see what God is going to do in all of our lives. So until tomorrow, may God’s grace be upon you as you fast and seek His Face.

Aloha, Mike Kai

Our annual church fast was kicked off this weekend and I preached a message regarding the fast called The Why and How of Fasting. You can listen to it at www.hcwo.com by Monday if you’d like to fast with us.

We’re doing a variety of fasts; a liquid, a “Daniel” and a Media fast. I’ll be going for a combination of 50/50 Daniel/Liquid. This is the third year our church has embarked on a corporate fast to see God move in our personal lives and in our church and I can honestly attest that since we began this annual event in January of 2008, our church has never been the same and God has taken us to the “Next Level.” I’m serious. Serious as a hamburger in 10 days!

So, please join us and let’s seek the Lord in prayer and fasting like never before. I’ll also include guest-posts on fasting that will mix it up. Every day, you’ll get a new and fresh post on our 10-day fast.
So, join us! And let the feast begin!

Love, Mike

Articles, BLOGS and websites are full of recapping the first decade of the new millennium and tips on how to tackle the new year. This will be no exception. Lisa and I were talking while taking a walk on our retreat and we began to discuss the things we want for our family and personally in 2010. Not the kind of “wants” that have to do with satisfying our personal desires, however, that is something I’ll address—-but more of the kind of wants that would be pleasing to the Father and less to our flesh. So, out of that conversation came these thoughts that I hope are helpful to you.

First, what do I want to Change? What can I do in 2010 that I have failed to do in 2009. For me, I want to be disciplined in every area of my life. I have pockets of discipline, but not a 360-degree type of discipline. So, my home office (is it neat or has it turned into another closet for more stuff that hasn’t been put away neatly and properly?), my car (which I like to call my “locker room” for obvious reasons) to my planning of my week and day (whatever cries the out the loudest gets my attention?) to consistently being in the Word and equally if not more important my times of Prayer with the Lord.

Secondly, what do I want to Release? This is the point in the self-evaluation process where I look at something I’ve been doing, holding onto, or allowed to take up root or residence in my home, life or attitude that I detrimental to my intimacy with God. The way I’ve heard it said, what you do either pulls you toward God or distances you from God. So, what do I want to release this year?

Lastly, what do I want to Pursue this year? More time with God, holiness in Christ, a new venture, birth a new ministry? Here’s where I ask myself, “What has the Lord been laying on my heart lately?” I remember three years ago, the Lord prompted me to start a new non-profit dedicated to international church planting and thus, Send Hope International was born!  www.sendhopeinternational.org

In closing, let me spur you on to taking time in the next few days to be alone with the Lord to seek His guidance for Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” This way, you’ll be doing what the Father wants and every time we do what He desires we always hit the mark and bring Him Glory. Also, it’s more fun when we do it His way.