2.1.12
Only three days out until the end of our corporate fast and Celebration Sunday. Let me say a great big thank you to all those on board with us. We are in great expectation to hear amazing testimonies during the rest of this year. Psalm 62:5 [KJV] says, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." Remember we said on Fasting Sunday, as we give Him our best at that first of the year we can be expecting Him to give us his best for the rest of year.

Today my Son, Chaise, had to take a Bible History test. Now this test was not just a quiz. No, this test was a semester test so he was required to know a lot of information. He and I began studying some on Tuesday and Wednesday morning he cranked out studying with his Mom. I hate to say it but we really had waited till the last minute to start studying so this was crunch time. I think as a Dad I was more nervous about the test than he was. Just before he went in to take the test, He and I prayed together for all things to be brought back to his remembrance. As I watched him go in, I was taken back to 30 years ago and remembered being so nervous about taking a big test. The funny thing was, Chaise was pretty calm and cool about it. Well, guess what. Chaise aced the test. He scored a 103. You talk about being pumped as a Dad. Man, I was bouncing with joy. That’s my boy!

You might be asking, ok Pastor, what spiritual implication are you going to make with this. I know that there is a good chance that many of us have been tested during our fast to give up or give in to King Stomach, or tempted to get into fear that God is not going to come through for us. Listen to me. YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST. As simple as it may sound, just as much as a Dad can be happy and excited for his son to get a good grade on a test, Our Father God is that happy and much, much more happy to see you blessed this year in 2012. This will be the best year we have ever had. He is faithful that promised.
Pastor Stephen

1.30.12
We are in the RedZone now!!

Ok, so in the NFL (National Football League) there is a term called the RedZone. The RedZone is the 20 yards before you get to the End Zone and score a touchdown. Generally, that is when the defense digs in and makes a stand. They do not want to make it easy for their opponents to score a touchdown. Now if a weak team has the ball, there are a few things that generally end up happening. 1. They get stopped by the defense and are unable to get a touchdown. So, they end up settling for a field goal that does not give them many points. 2. They lose the ball due to a fumble or bad pass. 3. Or, they end up not being able to score any points. On the other hand if a strong team has the ball, the defense is no match for them and they end up scoring at will!!

I believe that we are on the latter team! We have been fasting for two weeks and are strong. The word that we have been receiving has been strengthening us, not to mention our own time with God which is what really makes the difference!! Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally my brothers and sisters; Be STRONG in the Lord and in the POWER of HIS might!! WE ARE on the strong team, WE ARE Strong, WE HAVE His mighty Power, and WE CAN finish this fast scoring at will against whatever excuses or temptations the opposing team “the devil” throws at us!

We are in the RedZone, Let’s finish STRONG!!

Scoring at will!!
Carlos Canizales
Children’s Minister & Awesome Drummer ;)

1.27.12
Well hello everyone. We are over halfway finished with our 21 day fast. Let me just go ahead and say it for us all…GLORY. But let me say this also, now is the time for us to zero in with our prayer and time of study of the Word. Keep this in mind - God is preparing you for what is ahead. Hebrews 11:6 [KJV] says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY seek Him." The word REWARDER here means "restorer or to compensate". The word DILIGENTLY here means "to give steady, earnest, energetic, persevering effort". So in other words, as we stay diligent together, steady and persevering, we can be expecting His rewards to be released into our lives. So keep pressing on because “TOGETHER WE ARE GOING ON TO GREATER VICTORY.”

1.25.12
Welcome to another day of fasting :) Yay!! You've made it this far!! I just want to take a minute encourage you. The Bible says in Philippians 1:6 "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." To me this means that God plans to finish and finish well!! Therefore, He wants me to finish well. Here's how. Go after each day planning to finish that day well. If you do that every single day...guess what?!? by the end of the fast you will have kept at it and you will finish well. Another little phrase jumps out at me; He said He would "keep at it" how awesome is that! I am so glad He's not going to be done with me after just one time but is always going to be "tweaking" me until Jesus comes. Dear friends, This fast is just a set up for the rest of the year or better yet...... your life!! You are helping God set your stage for victory!! Can somebody say "Glory"!! If your just jumping on board...no worries...fasting is a heart thing above all else so dive in head first and get all God has for you. He is faithful to finish well what you and Him have started together. God Bless you abundantly as you seek Him with all your heart!!

Finishing well with you,
Sara Canizales
Children's Minister

1.23.12

As we believe together for salvations, restoration, healings, and more during this fast, I want to remind you of the benefit of Counting Your Blessings. I love to read the stories of the Old Testament and recently I was reading in the book of Joshua. The book of Joshua begins with Moses’ death and Joshua’s first days of leadership. After wondering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites were finally being allowed to enter the Promised Land. The only thing standing between them and this land promised to their forefathers so many years ago was the Jordan River. In Joshua 3:5, Joshua commands the Israelites to “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”

For so many of us, the things we are believing for during this fast seem to be on the opposite shore just as the Israelites’ promise was on the other side of the Jordan. This year Pastor Stephen has declared that “This will be the BEST year we’ve ever had” but in the natural you do not see progress. Just as He promised, the Lord parted the Jordan for the Israelites to cross over and I believe he will do the same for you. The next part, however, is what I want you to see.

“Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder – twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:5-7 NLT)

If you have seen a runner beginning a race, you will know that they set their feet up against starting blocks so that they are able to gain momentum quickly without slipping. Just as the Israelites built a memorial to remind themselves of the ‘great wonders’ God had done among them, so must we build memorials to remind ourselves of the ‘great wonders’ He has already performed on our behalf. Then like a runner pushing off the starting blocks, our faith will be so well built on His faithfulness that we “…hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (Hebrews 10:23). Count your blessings today and build a memorial there – Greater things are yet to come!

Contributed by Hannah East

1.22.12
You don't want to miss Sunday's message! Click here to go to the podcast.

1.19.12
Well hello guys. How is everybody doing? We are 5 days into our fast and already we have begun to see results and testimonies. Listen, remember what we said, “Fasting is a short term season that will release long term results.” What would take years to do, God has already begun to accelerate for us in 2012. This will be the Best year we have ever had.
Let’s go ahead and make up our minds that we are in this fast to the finish. Hebrews 10:23 [Amplified] says, “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope [REWARDS] we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure]and faithful to His word.” Let’s keep our eyes on the rewards!!!

1.18.12
During the fast, we will be making the sanctuary available for prayer on Thursdays from 6:30am to 7:00am and 12:00pm to 12:30pm.

1.17.12
To all those fasting with us at Coastal Family Church we are in our third day of our 21 day fast. Whether you have decided to do a full fast, Daniel fast, a partial fast, or some other form of fasting, I am sure you have been tempted by now to waiver. Especially if you have joined up with some of us on a full fast. Man, I sure had one of those headaches yesterday that are common during a food fast, but let me encourage you. Most of the side effects [headaches, lack of energy, hunger pains] that you experience in the first 3-5 days of your fast are usually short lived and just part of the process. You will get through it.

Let me encourage you with a powerful scripture today. Philippians 4:13 [KJV], “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Say that with me, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” Amen

Let’s don’t forget some of the things we said this past Sunday.
1) Keeping our eyes on the rewards will help when we feel like quitting. 2). Together we are building a strong people on the Outer Banks. 3) Fasting together brings Power and Rewards. I like that…don’t you. It’s great to know that there is a bunch of us out there striving and pressing towards the same thing. This year will be the BEST YEAR we have ever had.

Finally, here is a prayer by David in Psalm 139:1-7, 23-24 that we can all be praying during our fast.

Oh Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is to wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?....
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way of everlasting.

I BELIEVE THAT AS WE FAST, PRAY, AND SEEK THE LORD TOGETHER - GIVE HIM OUR BEST AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR - HE WILL BLESS OUR ENTIRE YEAR…Amen

1.15.12
Today was the first day of the fast. If you were not able to be in service with us or you would like to hear the message again, the podcast is available here.