Covina Assembly

Daniel Fast: Day 21

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Hello Fasting Family, Day 21 has arrived! Congratulations to everyone who participated and especially to those who were fasting for the very first time. These last 21 days have probably brought out the good, the bad and the ugly. I know for me there were days I thought “forget it, I’m throwing in the towel”, and there were other days I felt as if I could conquer the world. If there is one thing that I have learned about Fasting is that it gets the attention of the Lord no matter how we feel.

As you turn the corner of this seemingly eternal three weeks, look to Him who stands at the finish line urging you on. The things you have been praying and believing for during this fast are found only in him, so look to Him. Maybe your problems are much greater than simply enduring in the fast. Look to Him, cast aside your doubt and fear and fix your eyes on Jesus. With our eyes fixed firmly on Him, we will run this race and not grow weary.

I look forward to hearing throughout the year of how God continues to answer your prayers and works miraculously as a result of what has been done during these 21 days.

Pastor Todd Black

Community Life Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 20

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Well, we’re on the final lap of our Daniel Fast and I want to say what an experience it has been for me to participate in this fasting and praying. At first, I had mixed feelings about doing this Daniel Fast. I tried to use my diabetic condition as an excuse for not doing it. Prior to participating in the Daniel Fast, my blood sugar numbers were over 250+(should be between 70-120); however, since being on this fast, my blood sugar numbers have significantly dropped to almost normal, and I have been consistently maintaining these results every day – and finding the time and energy to exercise, too. I never realized how exciting it was to try all the new recipes and how much of a variety of meals you can prepare with vegetables and tofu. Through this fast, I have learned to be disciplined in eating healthy and I don’t have the craving for the “sweets” that I would normally eat before and after each meal. I give God all the praise and glory for helping me through this fasting and prayer time. I realize now that I am not only spiritually healthy but physically healthy, too.

Gina Cardines

Administrative Assistant to Pastor John Johnson, Lead Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 19

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Here we are on week three of the Daniel Fast. The past two weeks have been good. I've had some ups and downs, but this week I've started desiring some of the "plesant foods" that we are fasting from like cheese and a cup of tea or coffee. However, I realize this is not the time to stop, but rather to persevere. Through this fast God is preparing each one of us for the things we are to accomplish, things we cannot do on our own. As I call on the Lord to help me to complete the fast, the desire subsides and my faith in Him grows.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says,

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So run this race with great perseverance and know the goal is just ahead and the reward of joy will be worth it all.

Carol Smith

Assistant Community Life Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 18

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Well, we've reached the last week of our Daniel Fast and it's been great. This is the first time I have ever fasted this long and consistently and it really wasn't that hard. I think when it's something you really want to do and you have others around you doing the same thing it's encouraging, not to mention God giving me the strength. My biggest fear in doing this was actually giving up my coffee...but guess what, it's been 17 days and I've done it. I'm very excited to see what God is going to do in my life as well as in others. I have to admit when I started this fast I knew what my focus and prayer would be on and honestly I feel the situation has gotten worse but I know God is with me and just because the fast is over I won't give up. God is faithful and will never let us down.

Sandy Marquez

Database/Finance Administrator

Daniel Fast: Day 17

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

I can’t believe that we are already on the home stretch of this fast! I have been doing a modified version of the Daniel Fast, fasting meat and some other activities that can easily distract me from God’s voice during this time. I have also made a commitment to a daily time of prayer and devotions.

This is not the first time I have fasted, but for some reason it has been one of the most difficult fasts I have done. One thing that I have learned this time around is that if I have not made my purpose for fasting clear in my own mind and heart, I am more likely to throw in the towel in those moments of temptation and hunger. Also, accountability is key. Having people around me who are also fasting and committing themselves to prayer has been a huge encouragement and is at times the support I need to continue seeking the Lord and His will during this time.

As I am reaching the end of these 21 days, I can look back and see where God has been moving. I have realized that I sometimes have been so focused on what I am denying myself and how good or bad I have been at keeping my promises, that I have overlooked some of the things that God has been doing in my life. I am excited for these final days of the fast and am eager to see what God will accomplish in my life and in the lives of our church body even after these 21 days.

Shauna Vogel

Graphic Designer

Covina Assembly

Daniel Fast: Day 16

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

This is the third week of fasting and I am personally very excited to finish off this last week. I am not excited because it is the last week of not being able to eat, as much as I would like to, but because I am extremely anxious to see the results of this fast. I know so many prayers are going to be answered and that God is going to do many miracles! This is the first time that I have decided to fast for so many days continuously and I am truly learning and enjoying this time. Every time I get hungry I am reminded to pray about what I am asking God to do in my life. I can’t wait to hear testimonies about how God has moved in people’s lives through this Daniel fast!

Erica Gomez

Community Life Administrative Assistant

Daniel Fast: Day 15

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

This is an exciting week for those of you who started the Daniel Fast a couple of weeks ago. In just a few days you will reach the 21st day and celebrate the amazing blessings and experiences of your consecrated time of prayer and fasting. My hope is that this experience has been life-changing!

ENDING THE FAST: I do want to caution everyone about ending the fast. You will need to be careful during the first couple days of "ordinary eating." To keep your body from rebelling loudly, reintroduce foods slowly. This is especially important when resuming coffee and caffeine, meat, dairy products and sweets. Small portions are better and easing back into consumption of these foods is advised.

Also, when you end your fast, reflect on the lessons you learned during your fasting period. I know many have learned valuable lessons about healthy eating and want to carry those lessons into their future. Perhaps you have gained new and positive habits for prayer and daily Bible reading (Susan Gregory, The Daniel Fast Blogger).

Pastor Todd Black

Community Life Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 14

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Hello Fellow Daniel Fasters. Two weeks down and only one to go!

It is encouraging to remember that as we fast, we are investing in something that will outlast us! There is always a purpose in what we are doing. Jesus had purpose even as He was dying, even down to the last moment! The late A.W. Tozer once said, "It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular. It is why he does it." Isn't that a reality check for our motives in fasting? Why are you still fasting at this point? It's important to maintain pure motives that are always filtered through the Holy Spirit as we participate in spiritual disciplines such as fasting.

Pastor Todd Black

Community Life Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 13

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

According to Matthew 6, there are two scriptural companions that go along with Fasting. One is giving & the other is praying. Prayer is the essential companion in any type of fast we set out to do. If we are fasting without praying, it is simply a “diet.”

As we fast and pray, it is very important to have an anticipation that God will hear our prayers and answer. The more I’m in His presence, the more my faith is developed. Faith comes when I hear God speak. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10:17) There is a language to faith and it says, “God is going to see me through! God’s going to make a way! I don’t know how He’s going to do it, but He will turn it around.”

I am asking God to help us as we develop our faith through this time of fasting and prayer. Believe God for what looks impossible, because what is impossible with man is possible with God.

Pastor Todd Black

Community Life Pastor

Daniel Fast: Day 12

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

I hope that you are taking the time during this fast to pause regularly and reflect on what God is speaking into your life.

Deuteronomy 8 Indicates that there are three main purposes as to why God desires us to fast. He uses hunger to humble us, to test us and to teach us.

1. Fasting HUMBLES us because it quickly shows us our limits and our frailty. It's meant to help us understand how small and frail and needy we really are.

2. Fasting TESTS us to see what is in our hearts. Fasting brings to the surface those things which are kept deep inside of us(anger, bitterness, Fear, resentment etc.).

3. Fasting TEACHES us. It teaches us that we do not live on bread alone but by every word that comes form the mouth of the Lord. It's the person whose belly is full who is most likely to forget from whom all blessings flow.

Pastor Todd Black

Community Life Pastor