I know this is going to sound basic… but this morning when I read Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” It struck me in the heart. There are so many things that we can seek in life. I think it is easy to seek the stuff we NEED first and then squeeze God in. What we need to do is make sure we are seeking God first & putting all our trust in Him and then after we have wholeheartedly done that… all the stuff (bills, work, family, stress, etc.) will be taken care of. God will work it out! So what am I seeking FIRST is the key question. Bottom line= seek God first and then…
P. Jake

I was reading Matt 7:11 where Jesus says, "How much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." I was encouraged to pray for the best gift God can give. It is the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13 says, "How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." If you compare the two verses, the good gift is the Holy Spirit. Oh how we need the Holy Spirit in our life! In all of our asking, let us ask for more of Him. Pastor Tim

"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God" Matt.3:8 NLT This passage really stuck out to me. Words are not enough. Serving God half-heartedly is not enough. Is everything about me, in and out, telling the world that I am a Christian? Is my life speaking for itself, reflecting a changed life? I want it to be that way. I've been serving the Lord almost 13 years now, and I want to give Him 100% still today, in the same way that I did on day 1.

This is something God has been speaking to me during these first days of the Daniel fast- is to not become too busy and to take this time to love God. Take time to get to know Him more by pursuing Him! God pursues us, but this is a great opportunity to pursue God. God wants a response from us, to love Him back. I started reading, The Practice of Godliness, and Bridges talks right away about godliness and what it means, “It is the foundation, in fact, on which godly character is built”(p.14). Not only do we need to become godly with our character, but most importantly we have to be devoted to God and love Him as our foundation. Sometimes we can get busy with ministries, life, family, and church, but let us take this time to pursue God Himself in a real relationship and fall in love with Him even more! Jackie Botsford

1 Timothy 6:6 Godliness with contentment is great gain.
I was reading chapter seven of " The practice of Godliness" today. This just seem to strike me today at how the world of Christianity is being tested in this area right now, especially with the tough economic times.
Contentment seems to breed satisfaction to the soul.

He met me. This morning after I read my Bible I simply turned off the light and began to tell Jesus how I love Him and want to be changed by Him into exactly what and who He wants me to be. As I was quiet I sensed His presence and He began to show me areas that He has been dealing with me about. If it's okay, I'm not going to go into detail, but it was just stunning to be in His presence. So good. I know that even in the earliest days of the fast, my spirit is so aware of Him. Mmmmm.

As I was singing the song "You'll Come" with my life group this past Sunday, I felt my spirit start to stir as I thought about how God promised, when you seek Him you will find Him. God is always found by those who are looking for Him. I'm excited that I am going to find Him. I don't know when or how He will reveal Himself to me right now but I know He will, and it will be good.

I was reading the story of Esau. He quickly gave up his birthright for a moment of pleasure. He lived only for the present not the future. He cared only about the physical and not the spiritual. He valued personal increase not godly increase. How am I living? What are my values? During this fast, I want to reflect on my values and choices. I want to say like Paul, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Pastor Tim

I read this morning in Genesis 15:13-14 - God told Abram ahead of time that the people would go through hardship but then they would come out of Egypt with great possessions. It reminds me even of these past few years, that any time God takes us through hard stuff, He always rewards us on the other side... there is always a purpose to it, so you can rejoice even in those times :)

This morning when I was reading Psalm 6:3-4 "My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love." I felt the love of God come over me. It was great to read a verse that speaks what your heart is feeling. I am taking advantage of this fast to draw close to Jesus.

I went on a prayer walk a couple mornings ago and felt like God just wanted me to worship Him. Just keep it simple He said. So that is exactly what I am doing... keeping it simple. I am going to draw close to Jesus.

I have been yearing to "hear" God's voice speak to me so I can hear it with my ears. I hear God speak in my heart & mind as well as the birds that sing & His precious Word when I spend time with Him reading as well as when the Word of God is taught. Not that I am unappriciative of all these beautiful, personal & mysterious ways God speaks to us but my heart yearns for His voice. I am asking God to reveal Himself to me even more & be it audiably or which ever way He chooses "I am all His." During this fast I am basking in God's presence & I must say I lack no satisfaction there. He is more refreshing than "lemonaide", my favorite drink. God is sweeter than any desert & His Word has alot of juicy meat.
Just on a funny note, I thought coffee was my favorite drink so I had none the first morning & later that day as I went to get my lemonade I realized I drink that stuff all day long!! Tons of sugar, wasted calories & money down the drain!
I craved it except for today, I was a sugar addict! Since artificial sweetners are so bad for us I will stick to water w/ a touch of real lemon juice.
James 2:17..faith without works is dead. Thank you for having us do the Daniel fast as a family so we can all grow & share our hights & levels in the Lord.

I am always amazed that as I deny my fleshly appetite, my appetite for all things spiritual increases! It seems that I cannot spend enough time with the Lord and His Word. As if nothing can quench my appetite apart from drawing closer to Him!
And, it’s so much more satisfying than when I eat or drink something to simply satisfy my flesh. I can feel the life giving nourishment of the spiritual equivalent in such a real way when my flesh is out of the picture. It reveals the truth of Jesus words in Matthew 4:4; “Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" ”

I am amazed at the immediate sensitivity in my spirit that begins when I pray and fast. I have been finding that in my prayer times there is such an awareness of God and a brokenness in my heart. I find myself easily diving into intimacy with Him and just hungering for more. I love the fact that fasting causes me to give up something in my flesh! While I am giving up in the flesh it seems the Holy Spirit just begins to reveal other areas of my life that must be "given up" or surrendered! God is so good to never deny us when we press into Him! Thank You Jesus!

This fast I feel contentedly small and loved. God's love is on my mind and heart a lot these days. In fact, the fundamental truth and power of God's love is overwhelming me at the moment. Every bible verse I read, every sermon I hear, every Christian TV program I watch, every CIM class I attend, even most conversations I have, it's the same message; God loves me. He loves me, knowing exactly who I am, and I love Him for who He is. I am loved so I can love. Simple, but so profound. I am just living in His love right now. Can't wait to see how he'll use me next. Thank you, God!

I was reading chapter 4 of the book "The practice of Godliness" and the author made these points.

Devotion to God is the only acceptable motive for actions that are pleasing to God.

The power to live a godly life comes from the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ.

Although the power to live a godly life comes from the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ, the responsibility to develop that life is ours.

I love these points. During my 21 days of fasting and prayer, I want to develop my relationship with God. I want to draw near to the Lord with a heart of love. I want to make sure I am serving the Lord with the right motivation. I don't want my relationship with God to all be about success or personal ambition. I want it to be about HIM.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

All this week through the start of our 21 Daniel fast, I have been reminded and so aware of God's desire to bless his people. In Genesis 1:27-28 it says, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them..." God created man, then He blessed man. God's desire is to bless us, not harm us. No matter what we go through, no matter what trials we face, God's desire is to ultimately bless us. In his presence there is blessing!

I was reading in Matthew 6 today and this spoke to me. God, “who sees everything,”(Matthew 6:18)rewards those who give, pray and fast with a pure heart! God rewards us with Himself! This encourages me to press on and continue to be faithful with the Daniel fast. In the end, God will give us more of His Spirit, discernment, intimacy, or whatever we believe Him for! Jackie Botsford

While reflecting on our Spiritual Growth Plan I've received an increasing awareness of those in need--and a burden to help. I don't have any specific direction from God as yet but I will remain open in my spirit to His voice. I remember missions trips to Egypt and Peru, where the people have few possessions but possess a fervent passion for the Lord. They are truly happy. Sometimes all those "things" can keep us from what is most important--our relationship with Almighty God. I am considering the mission to Mexico this year as an opportunity to give to the needy. I am certain that the Lord wants me to be a better giver this year!
Blessings in Jesus, Pastor Steve

As I was praying through the 3 prayers the Apostle Paul gave us in Phil.1:9-11 I realized that in order to be filled with the fruits of righteousness (vs11) we first need to sow seeds of rightesouness. It occured to me that that is what we are doing with this fast. We are sowing seeds. Seeds that will later bear fruit in our lives and in the life of our church. I also thought of the principle that you always reap more than you sow so I'm encouraged to sow all I can so that I might reap a great harvest.

Last Night was Cornerstone's first of three Daniel Prayer Meetings and it was wonderful! It was so great to come together with so many other people of the church all with the same purpose to press in through prayer and worship. In the very beginning Pastor encouraged us that throughout this fast we need to ultimately just want and desire more of GOD!!!! I feel like that is exactly what this fast is doing. I am not asking God for anything or seeking him about anything, I am just pressing in for more of Him! I want to encourage everyone to be a part of these prayer meetings. They are an amazing addition to your fast. The next one is next Saturday at 9a.m. Hope to see you there!!!!

Since we started the Daniel fast I have started doing doing some things that God has been talking to me about for a some time. Its not that I said to God "yeah,yeah...I'll get to that later", but that has been my attitude.
I had the radio on today and head the song "Salvation is Here". It came to the line "and I know that God made a way for me", and it was like an arrow. If God made a way for me am I walking in it? How unappreciative and presumptuous is it that God made a way for me if a am not FULLY walking in it?
The Daniel fast hes been a blessing and I feel closer to God.

We had a tremendous prayer meeting last friday. I really sensed the anointing of God when we waited before Him. It's kind of interesting. The part of the prayer meeting that I felt was most blessed was the part where I stopped talking. I just listened for His voice and meditated on His goodness. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. The word "wait" in the Hebrew has the idea of being intertwined around the Lord. Just like individual strands are braided together to form a rope, so we are joined to God when we wait upon Him. Blessings, Pastor Tim

It's important to remember to pray when you are fasting. If you don't pray, your fasting ends up being only a diet. ha!

Here are some prayer reminders for you.

Everytime you feel hungry, let the hunger pangs remind you to pray.

Everytime you sit down to eat your vegetables and fruit, let it remind you to pray.

Everytime you hear someone talk about the Daniel fast, let it remind you to pray.

Use every occasion and opportunity to be prayerful for the 21 days.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

I am enjoying this time of fasting and prayer! Kira, Andrew and I are reading through the book "The Practice of Godliness" as a family and I cherish the time we are spending together growing in the Lord. I feel God challenging me to have more moments as a family with Him and am excited to put my feet in action at His challenge. I am so aware of His goodness in my life. From the church He has placed me in, the Pastors and leadership He has placed me under and the friends He has given to me... I am in awe of Who He is and feeling thankful and humbled at the same time. I am excited about the Spiritual Growth plan and God is challenging me in quite a few areas through this. I can't wait to follow with an obiediant heart and love on the Lord with more passion and ferver than ever before! Pastor, thank you for following the promptings of God and challenging us with growth!! God bless you in abundance today!!

Now that the fast is more than half way through, I can really begin to feel the need to eat sweets. For some reason, I am not struggling with meat as much as I am with sweets. I crave a sweet desert after a meal. During those times of craving I take time to remember Jesus and what He did for me. He gave up everything to be my Savior. What a wonderful Savior we have...which makes this simple sacrifice of no sweets worth it.

I love Mark 1:35-39. It is the account of Jesus rising a great while before sunrise to pray to His heavenly Father. Jesus felt the desire and need to pray. We should sense that desire and burden as well. When Jesus prayed, certain things happened in His life.

Jesus understood His purpose in life when He prayed. v. 38 says, "For this purpose I have come forth."

Jesus received specific guidance for the next step he took in His ministry. v. 38 says, "Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also."

Jesus was empowered for ministry after praying. v. 39 says "He was preaching...and casting out demons."

Jesus was renewed and refreshed for ministry after praying. v. 38 says, "Let us go."

This reveals the importance of prayer for each one of us. We need to know our purpose in life. We need specific guidance from the Lord. We need to be empowered and renewed for ministry and for life. We need God to pour into us, so we can pour into others.

During the 21 days of prayer and fasting, continue to call upon the Lord. God will meet with you in extraordinary ways.

Blessings, Pastor Tim

I love fasting and I hate fasting. I hate fasting for the obvious reasons, I'm hungry. Although this fast is a bit different and I don't find myself as hungry and so far I'm not really missing anything with the exception of coffee. However it is still fasting so it does affect my flesh. What I love about fasting is what it does to my heart and spirit. I can really sense, everytime I fast, my heart being tenderized towards the Lord. I love the way it causes me to turn to the Lord and call upon Him. This fast is no different in that regard. I find myself drawn to Him and wanting more of Him. I am loving the Practice of Godliness book and I am enjoying times of prayer with my wife and son as we journey through this experience together.

I am finding as the days of our fasting progress that I have God on my mind and heart absolutely all of the time. I am so aware of His presence... constantly... and I love that. Two days ago as I was reading my Bible, I felt that the Holy Spirit was showing me that very thing as I read Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Wow, just... praise God! That's all I can say. Really looking forward to our corporate prayer time tomorrow morning. I'm ready for more of God.

I love participating in the Daniel Fast! It is a great time to press into God! It’s a time to search our hearts before Him who loves us so much! During my daily readings I have been asking God to speak to me in some specific way in His Word. Almost every time, there is a scripture, a word, or something God will place His hand upon. It has been words of encouragement and even words of instruction for me personally. This is how it should be every time in God’s Word. I was reading today in Matthew 10:38-39 “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” This is such a powerful scripture. God was challenging me to look at my life and to see if there is anything that I am “clinging” to. The more we give up our own desires, will, or ways; we will gain more of God in our lives. I want to make sure I am giving up those things that keep me separated from God, so that I can have more of His power, love, blessing, and desires. More of Jesus in my life!

During our time of fasting I have been touched by the song, "Arms Open Wide" in the sense that my arms are open to Him only because He holds His arms open to me. Jesus opened the way to the Father by enduring the cross. We love Him because He first loved us. My favorite parable is The Prodigal Son. That is me. When I try to accomplish things without my heavenly Father I reach dead-ends. He wants to work through me. Repentance leads me back to God, Who runs to me with open arms. I don't deserve His grace. I don't deserve His Love. But I'll take it, yes, I will take it with open arms. How about you? Will you receive the love and grace of God with open arms? Will you come to the place where you admit that you really, really need Him? That is right where God wants us, extending our arms toward each other for embrace.
Love in Christ, Pastor Steve

During this time of prayer and fasting I am finding that God is challenging me to grow closer to Him and not take His love, presence or the salvation He gave me for granted. I keep thinking back to the song we sang during worship on Sunday. (All that really matters) How true this is! All that really matters is found in Him and Him alone! I am challenged to keep Him the center, to let my life be an offering unto Him, to lift His name on high and be pleasing to Him in all I do. That is the cry of my heart! That God be my ultimate treasure!! I love how God continues to challenge me. I love that He loves me and I love serving Him where He has planted me and worshiping Him with all my heart!! May God continue to be praised and glorified in all our hearts today!

I was reading this Psalm this morning and I really enjoyed the heart of David. He was expressing such joy in God. God had given him victory. God had given him his heart's desire. The Lord was gracious and good to him. I believe the Lord will be that way with you and me. Read the Psalm and picture yourself as the recipient of the same blessings from God that David received from the Lord. Let the Psalm minister to you today. Pastor Tim

Psalm 21
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested.
Interlude

3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.
You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.
4 He asked you to preserve his life,
and you granted his request.
The days of his life stretch on forever.
5 Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

As I was further meditating on Phil.1:11 which talks about being filled with the fruits of righteousness, another thought occured to me. As I said in an early blog, in order to have fruit you must first plant seeds. Only God can make fruit without seeds. We need to plant them. And that is what we have been doing, planting seeds that we will harvest in the future. . . .or will we? It occured to me that a lot of work happens between planting and harvesting. At least that has always been my experience. You have to water that seed. When it starts to grow you then have to keep watering it and watch out for weeds or animals or bugs or you will lose that plant. So, in relation to the seeds we have planted during this fast, we need to continue on. I've definately prayed a little more than normal and I've read a little more and sought God with more intensity. And if I want these seeds to bear fruit I feel I need to continue. So let me encourage you to do the same. Look at what you did differently during this fast that helped you seek the Lord. Maybe the Lord would have you keep it up or at least change your normal routine in some measure. I believe if we do so, we will reap if we don't quit. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galations 6:9

Matthew 14:34-36, “And when all the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him … and all who touched him were healed.”
When the people heard that Jesus was near (in their region) they sought to be nearer … and all those who got near enough to touch him, were healed!
As we seek the Lord's presence and to be nearer to him, let us seek to draw so near that we touch him, and with the faith that when we do, we will receive! That we would have that expectation … such an expectation that we would push through whatever it is that could stand in our way and would be desperate enough to go the distance required to touch him!
I think of those who traveled great distances and pushed through crowds to get close enough … spending their time and energy to get there, and letting nothing stand in their way! We may have things we must push through to get there, but let us understand that we can, and that when we do, we will receive!

As I have been a part of this fasting and prayer, I have continually been given an image of a bed of coals. Sometimes these coals are in flames, other times they are smoldering and seem to be on the verge of being extinguished. As I have sought to draw closer to God, this image continues to emerge as I am praying and reading. It got me to thinking of steps we have talked about, during this fasting time.
- returning to the devotion and passion we had when we first were saved
- seeking God for greater vision, power, and surrender, so He can fan our passion to life.

It got me thinking that as Christians, we can often think, "I cannot see the fiery flames of my life, like it used to be," or "I feel spiritually out of it, because I am not as......as I used to be at church."
I've thought these thoughts. It made me realize that a fire starts in a particular way. The wood and coals are laid out. They are lit, and a flame springs up. It is used for light, for heat, for cooking, or whatever it is needed for. At some point, as it continues to burn, the flames die down, and you have the burning coals and embers. They are still used for light, heat, cooking, and everything else. When a flame needed, fuel can be added and it will spring up, when necessary - but the coals are always good! And if we could look close enough to the coals, you may see a thin glow of flame actually surrounding them. The flame has not gone out, because we cannot perceive it anymore. And even as there may not be a flame in use, the coals can be cared for and carried on for days, as the coals in the Temple were kept burning for incense to be lifted to God at any moment or continuously. Or like other times, we can cover the coals or douse them in waters to extinguish them for good.
How might we see our lives now, as God has His ways of keeping us burning, reigniting our hearts and devotion, fueling a fire back to life when He desires us to light a way, or simply being constant embers upon which an offering can be ready at anytime, day or night? Perhaps, we have doused those coals, and God in His mercy and grace, is willing to lay the wood and coals again, to cast His flames of love and call you back to Him! Are we willing to allow such great work to be done in us? I do not want to stop God at work in my life! I do not want to think less of the work that he has had me do, because I could not perceive the flames that were already there. God will use me as I am, and He will ignite me to be what He will have me be, in His great time and plans.
I think I heard once, in science class, that the flame is not necessarily the hottest part of a fire, but rather the coals hold the intensity of heat, and can be most controlled, while a flame can go out of control. I should be ready then, to be completely devoted to God, in the Spirit's complete control, always ready to love and serve our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lord, let me be coals of offering, of devotion, and always ready to spring to flame for you!
Isa 54:16 - 17 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy;
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."