Chewed and Digested

Chewed and Digested

Easter Sunday was a powerful day. Both services were filled with the Spirit of God. What a beautiful day to worship the Lord together. Following the service I was thinking, “What would it take for people who are seeking the Lord this Easter, to continue to seek Him each and every week?” My conclusion was the same for those who are in a thriving relationship with Jesus. It takes a hunger for more of the presence of God. Too many times the enemy steps in on the most sincere intentions and plants the seed of restlessness, causing people to seek fulfillment in other things besides God.

Look with me what the Psalmist writes:

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”        Psalm 119:9-16

From what I see, the Psalmist is putting emphasis on treasuring up the word of God. In order to treasure it I must decide to spend not only quality time in the Word, but I must spend quantity time in the Word. I am to read it each day and let it become a part of my routine as I do putting on my clothes.

An emphasis is placed on declaring it to others. As I share the Word with others, it becomes a part of my whole day and God uses His Word to impact others for the sake of Christ.

An emphasis is also placed on meditating on the Word. As I meditate and memorize, the Scripture becomes alive in my thought life. During the day I am reminded of the fingerprint of God and can see His activity in every thought and relationship. It begins to help me to truly take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Then I see an emphasis on delighting in the Word of God. It is good to read it each day, meditate and memorize it, declare it to others, and make it the compass of your life. It is even better to do all of those things and sprinkle in delight because the things that bring us the greatest pleasure are the things we place as a priority. God designed us that way.

Look at what Francis Bacon, a seventeenth-century English philosopher, said about reading in general: “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed and digested.” So what he was saying is, “Some books are to be read on in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” The Bible belongs to the last group.

So I am not talking about chewing and digesting your lunch today. I am talking about living a lifestyle of chewing and digesting the Word of God. Setting up your day to be completely nourished in God’s Living Word.

On Monday, our church will have a team travel to our sister church in Marose, Haiti. Pray for the team of 24 people who will be traveling and seeking God with their whole heart. We will be building a three-classroom school building, helping the people with learning how to birth healthy babies, minor medical procedures, and continuing to proclaim the name of the Lord. Pray for safety and God moments as we see what Jesus wants to accomplish in and through this trip.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Holy Week

Holy Week

Luke 19-24

The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. We refer to it as Holy Week. The four Gospels mention the events that took place during Jesus’ walk to the Cross. I encourage you to go to Luke 19 and read through chapter 24. On Sundays we have been looking at different segments of Jesus we have titled, “Defining Moments.” Have you experienced any defining moments lately?

On Thursday we will be gathering in 20-minute segments (5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.), in our sanctuary to experience the last supper. I want to encourage all of our families to come and experience the Lord during this powerful time of reflection and worship. We will be entering into the upper room where the disciples had to grapple with who was going to betray Jesus. In that moment, each disciple began to wonder who it would be. Eventually it came around to stare each one of them in the face when they questioned if it was going to be themselves personally. What a powerful time of self examination. Bring your children with you and walk in the story of Jesus’ life being spilled out for each of us.

Then several of our families will gather on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for our Easter-rific time in the Family Life Center. It will be a “Heavenly” Breakfast, a “top secret” guest will visit, and we'll enjoy lots of games and activities.

Easter Sunday Worship will be a highlight as we come together to celebrate our Risen King. Jesus has conquered death and the grave. We will come and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our refuge, our Savior, our Lord, our ever present help in times of trouble. Come expecting a miracle of new life continuing to be evident in and through our church. The first service will be at 8:45 a.m. and the second will be at 10:45 a.m. Cardboard testimonies will be a highlight at the end of the services. Breakfast will be available at 9:45 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Plan to connect with others as you enjoy a wonderful meal together. Stay after the first service or come before the second service. Experience the resurrection power that only comes through knowing and loving Jesus.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

P.S. Want to learn more about our church and upcoming events? CLICK HERE

Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of the resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:10-14

Paul is not talking about a casual relationship with Jesus. He is wanting to know Christ completely, leaving no room for apathy.

The power displayed through Christ’s resurrection is available only through Christ. It is imparted at conversion when believers experience the power of a spiritual resurrection through repenting of their sin. They are given new life. There is a new spiritual energy present that begins at conversion. There is more available as we grow in Christ. The supply is unlimited for those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is desperately wanting to know Christ more and more in a life-shaping way.

We must remember that there is no resurrection without a death. Paul says, “Somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” He was not saying that he would die a physical death like Jesus did. We identify and are united with Christ’s death by dying to sin. The book of Romans is a parallel to this thought.

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:11-14

By consistently choosing death to sin and self, a conformity to Jesus’ death occurs. When that death occurs, we are a candidate for resurrection power. At that time we can press on toward the goal to win the prize God has in store for us. Are you pursuing that level of relationship with Christ? Have you and are you dying to sin and self?

I am excited for Sunday. We will be baptizing believers in Christ. It is going to be an exciting day of worship. The following Sunday will be Easter. At the end of the service we will be having cardboard testimonies. The Spirit of God has been moving in our midst. If you would like to participate in the cardboard testimonies, call me at the church office. I am getting so blessed just thinking about all the life transformation taking place all around us.

May God be praised in your life today as you celebrate a resurrection season due to a season of death.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

Walking in Your New Identity

Walking in Your New Identity

Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus to not live like they used to live. They must have somehow stopped being sensitive to the Holy Spirit because in Ephesians 4:18-19 Paul says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” They let their guard down and gave the devil a foothold. Have you ever stepped back and asked, “Where did that come from?” This was one of those times for the people of Ephesus.

If we do not intentionally “put off the old self and take up the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24), then the devil had full reign to entice you to step up and support your old ways that prevailed before you settled the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life. That would be like coming in from a long hot day of working in the yard, taking a nice shower, smelling like a million bucks, only to put your old clothes back on. Before you know it, the stench begins to permeate your skin again. Doesn’t sound too good does it?

We are to do as James says in James 1:21-22, “… Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” When you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you planted the Word of God in your heart. You live by a new set of rules. God wants to come spilling out of you wherever you are and whatever you do. Keep feeding your soul by going to the Word of God daily. This is God’s will for your life. Live to please the Lord and don’t let anything get in your way.

On Sunday, April 13, we will have a Baptism in our morning services. Take another obedient step and follow Jesus to your believer’s baptism if you know Jesus and have not been baptized. Allow the Spirit of God to continue to make you new each and every day. This next obedient step is just what you need to do to “put off the old self and put on the new self” being refreshed through His Word.

Take time today to fill your mind with the Words of God. Let Him fill you with perfect peace.

This Sunday we will be voting on leaders for this new church year starting in May. Be praying for wisdom and direction. I am looking forward to a great day in the Lord this Sunday.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike