Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The Rhythm of Life

The Rhythm of Life

What a powerful service on Sunday. I believe the Lord is moving as a direct result of our prayers on Wednesday morning and throughout the week as we lift up our church before the Father.

Today I want to bring our attention to a rhythm that needs to be actively exercised in our life. As I was praying this morning, the Lord reminded me that the enemy wants to distract us and remove any type of positive momentum in our life. Did you know that finding a godly rhythm will enable you to flow in the grace of God like no other time in your life?

Consider a solar water heater where the sunlight heats water piped through collectors. The heated water is pumped into a storage tank and then to its final destination – your faucet. The system works well but under certain extremes there can be problems.

Too much sunlight can heat the water too hot to safely use. So the system needs to mix in some cooler water for safer temperatures. On the flip side, when the weather gets below freezing, the system needs to pump warm water from the storage tank to protect the pipes and collectors from freezing. No matter the temperature or the amount of sunlight, the right temperature has to be pumped to its final destination.

When applying this principle to life, living in a good rhythm of prayer acts like a valve that mixes in cool and warm water when needed. God can take our heat – our anger, frustration, resentment – and mix it with His mercy, compassion, and wisdom so that we and others aren’t burned by what we say or think or do. When we feel the numbing cold of distrust, grief, or pain, God can warm us with His reservoir of grace, strength, and love. In either case, we ultimately receive the grace to do whatever it takes to glorify the name of Jesus.

If you want to live in despair, there are plenty of things you can attach to that will result in hopeless living. But if you want to live in victory, then get in the rhythm of life that will allow the Lord to bless. Set aside time each day to pray and saturate in the Word of God — seeking first His kingdom. Building in times of worship and service will create margin for the Lord to work in ways we can only imagine.

Consider making Wednesday morning at 6:30 part of your rhythm as we pray for our nation, our community, our church, and our families. Desperate times call for desperate corporate prayer.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike


www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Victim or Victor?

Victim or Victor?

Did you know it is not a sin to be tempted? Being tempted only reminds us that we are living in a world that is not totally dependent on God. Temptation is something we have to learn to deal with. Even Jesus was tempted when He was physically on the earth. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, Satan tried to trip Him up. If Satan has the guts to tempt Jesus, then no one will be spared when it comes to temptation. Sometimes it comes on strong and other times it is a just a fleeting moment.

Last week we touched on Matthew 4. I would like to make that our focus again this week.

From your experience, what provides better joy: giving in to temptation or overcoming it by resisting it? You would think people’s answer would be giving in since that is what a lot of people do every day. Many people just settle in and embrace temptation to the point it goes away because they are living in it.

Regardless of your age or position in life, if you have a heartbeat, Satan will do his best to tempt you. He is relentless. The question is how to maintain an intimate relationship with the Lord in spite of the fact that the enemy tries his best to destroy it.

First of all, go to Matthew 4:1-11 and read it. Look at how Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus was tempted right where He was living. Read it, saturate on this passage and see how Jesus used the very words of God to resist the devil and his conniving schemes. The enemy's plan is to thwart God’s plan for your life. He is wanting to stir up every relationship that represents God’s presence and provision in your life.

The only one who knows you more than yourself is God. So take the knowledge you have of yourself and put a plan together that will help you be the victor in the face of temptation. Ask yourself the question: How am I going to respond the next time I am tempted? Look up a verse that relates to the area of your life Satan has been attacking. Memorize it so you can quickly bring to mind God’s thoughts at any given moment. For example, when someone pushes your buttons to the point of explosion, bring Proverbs 15:1 to mind: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

When you are in the midst of temptation, stick to what you have decided ahead of time. Don’t let anything convince you of another course of action that you already determined to do. The moment you begin to compromise is the moment you put into jeopardy everything you value in life. Continuing to yield to temptation is deciding to push your relationship with your spouse, your best friend, or the Lord to the back burner. There is no room for regret. Take control of your next encounter with temptation. Plan ahead. It will hit you when you least expect it.

May your day today be filled with victory. May it be defined with your choices that are God honoring. May you live in the consequences of the Love of God to the glory of God.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike


www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Stay Away From the Skunk

Stay Away From the Skunk

The other night I was lying awake in bed with my windows open. Soon the smell of a skunk began to permeate my room. It was so strong that I thought the foul animal was spraying outside my window. It was bad. After a while, the smell either left or I got used to it.

I began to think how Satan is like a big spiritual “skunk” who is constantly trying to “stink” up our relationship with the Lord. He doesn’t want there to be Christians in the first place, but when people believe in Jesus with their whole heart, he doesn’t just give up. Instead, he tries to drag believers back into sin again. He promises more than what he can produce while wearing a sign, “I promise not to spray anybody.” Unfortunately many Christians believe him!

In Genesis 3, the enemy of our souls took the form of a serpent – a little more frightening than a skunk. He got into conversation with Adam and Eve and questioned their relationship with the Lord. He didn’t say it was all bad, just planted some seeds of doubt while undermining the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He was very clever. Can I say that today he is just as clever if not more?

Do you remember singing the song, “Shut de door, keep out de debil. Shut de door keep the debil in the night. Light de candle everyting’s all right.” It is a great song with deep meaning in a simple way. The words are true. We need to shut the devil out of our lives by making our relationship with the Lord our highest priority. When we put God first in all things, the enemy will have little opportunity to trip you up. It is like driving down the road and seeing evidence of a skunk in the road and swerving to miss so the smell does not touch any part of your car. You may smell that it was present, but you didn’t get any of it on you.

Go to Matthew 4 and see how Jesus quickly diminished the devil’s suggestions and instead brought to mind what God said. Our relationship with Jesus needs to be protected at all costs. Notice how quickly the encounter ended between Jesus and Satan. Some have been hanging around the temptation way too long. The longer we listen to the crafty manipulator of our soul, the more likely we will get used to the smell and fall to his ways. Be on alert today!

Last Sunday we discussed the upcoming renovation starting on October 26. All of the details are in the foyer for the next few weeks. It’s exciting to see this project come together. So far 286 chairs have been committed. Just think of the people’s lives these chairs represent. Exciting days ahead!

Remember that several people gathered this morning on the front row and prayed for you today. I have really enjoyed our time of prayer on Wednesday mornings. May the Lord bless you today as you seek Him with all of your heart.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike


www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Fed By the Word

Fed By the Word

Nehemiah 8:2-18

In this passage, we see the Word of God being placed as a priority in the lives of the people. There was respect and reverence for the Law of God. It says the people listened attentively. As Ezra opened the Word of God, the people stood up, lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. It brought much emotion to the people as they were having the Word explained to them so they would understand.

There is a big difference between going to God’s Word for a blessing and choosing to let it influence the way you live. The people listened intently to Ezra as he opened the Word and were focused on obeying what they heard. They were serious about placing the Word of God as number one in their lives.

We have the same need today for a greater sense of urgency and conviction when it comes to God’s Word. We must make it a priority to come to the house of the Lord with a worshipful and teachable attitude. Not only do we need this in our present day, but the next generation needs to see it modeled in our lives. The result will be great joy, just like it is described in Nehemiah 8. Let me encourage you to take the time to read this chapter. Follow the example set before us to make the things of God our number one priority.

I am looking forward to a great day on Sunday. We will be unfolding our plans for the renovation, celebrating new life through baptism, and continuing our series, “End Times: What Does Jesus Say?” Invite a friend and continue to pray for the Lord to fill our new chairs with people to hear the message of hope in this fallen world.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike


www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

War Room

War Room

This past Friday, there were several from our church who went to the movie theatre to see, “War Room.” We were not disappointed. It is a must see. If you need a reminder of how powerful fervent prayer is, then you will need to go and see it. Take as many people with you as you can.

I received an email from Provident Films remarking on the success of this movie.

Everyone's Talking About WAR ROOM
What do you say when the No. 1 new movie in all the land is about prayer?
What do you say when a prayer circle forms in the lobby of the local Cineplex after the movie?
What do you say when the No. 2 movie overall is a faith-filled reminder that God still touches lives and He’s still in control?
What do you say when people share on Facebook about loved ones coming to faith in Christ after seeing the movie?
What do you say when closets are becoming prayer rooms, spouses are asking for forgiveness, and parents are praying for their kids in ways they never have before?
What do you say? You say what Miss Clara says in WAR ROOM: “You’ve done it again, Lord. You’ve done it again!”

And You Say Thank You!
The Kendrick Brothers are in awe like all of us . . . only God could have done what He did this weekend. Director Alex Kendrick took a couple of minutes to say thank you and to celebrate some of the incredible things that have happened since WAR ROOM opened in theaters on Friday. We will see that response on Sunday during our Worship Services.

Every Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. our church is entering the War Room by coming to the “Front Row” in the sanctuary for prayer. I am excited about what the Lord is doing during our prayer time. I believe that the things we see happening are a direct result of the prayer that happens on Wednesday morning. The War Room’s success, changed lives, healed marriages, encouraged better fathers and mothers, is a direct result of fervent, desperate, believing prayer. Keep it up church, there is a new day on the horizon. We are on holy ground.

I would also like to invite people to join us on Sunday morning for prayer at 8:00 a.m. We gather across from the office in room 202 and pray for the services and the discipleship hour. Come and be a part of the “Front Row” ministries.

I read Psalm 81 in our prayer time this morning. I want to bring your attention to verses 8-14.

Hear Me, my people, and I will warn you—if you would only listen to Me, Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than Me. 10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 11 “But My people would not listen to Me; Israel would not submit to Me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13 “If My people would only listen to Me, if Israel would only follow My ways, 14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!"

If we listen and follow the ways of the Lord, He will quickly turn against the enemy. That is the real enemy of our souls. Many times we spend time fighting against the wrong enemy. Let’s gather in our war rooms and let the light shine over all the darkness.

Those who are interested in being baptized on September 13, need to come to a 30-minute class tonight (Wednesday) at 6:00 p.m. It will be held in room 204 on the north side of the worship center.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike


www.findlayfirstnaz.org