Merry Christmas from Your Church Staff
The theme of our Advent Season has been: “Simply Christmas.” We have been reminded to keep the focus of Christmas on the true meaning of the season and not get distracted by other things. It has been a wonderful season with many memories to share together. I wanted to represent our staff in saying thank you to all of your love and generosity. We are so blessed to be a part of a thriving church that has Jesus at the center of all that we do and say. Below you will see a picture of our annual Staff Christmas party held in my basement. We have a wonderful staff who are full of passion for Jesus.
Let me share with you a part of Paul’s prayer to the church of Philippi that we pray for our church.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” — Philippians 1:9-11
Hope to see you on Christmas Eve at 4:00 or 6:00 p.m. Merry Christmas!
Pastor Mike
To Us a Child Is Born
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
There aren’t many things in print from over 2,750 years ago that still captivate the hearts and minds of people like the words of Isaiah. It all boils down to the simple fact that it is the power of the Word of God. These ancient words still hold extraordinary meaning to us. Warren Wiersbe, a Bible Expositor for many years, writes, “Because he is Wonderful, life need never be dull. Because he is Counselor, we don’t have to be baffled by any decision required of us. Because he is the Mighty God, no demand we face is too much for him. Because he is the Everlasting Father, we can actually share in eternity. Because he is the Prince of Peace, we can have an inner calm no matter what storms come our way.”
In Isaiah’s day the world was not in good shape as we find it today. The cry for a better life has sounded throughout the centuries. And God certainly hasn’t disappointed those who trust in Him. His Son Jesus was all we could have asked for and more – so much more!
It was so good to be in our new Worship Center on Sunday. Everything really came together in a timely manner. There are so many people who worked extra hard to bring this dream to a reality. Sometime in the new year we will plan to have a dedication to thank so many people who went above and beyond the call of duty. We will also invite the community in for an open house.
Tonight is our Annual Christmas Concert, “Simply Christmas: A Concert Celebrating Christ.” Plan to come and enjoy the music of the season beginning with a Children’s Prelude at 6:40 p.m. Childcare is available for children 3 and under.
Take time to celebrate the names of Jesus during this advent. Oh what a Savior!
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
God's Right Hand
1 I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138
Often times I have read David’s many Psalms and have felt the strength from his confident spirit. I just want to go on record and say that I am feeling the strength of the Lord even in the midst of many uncertain circumstances. I feel so blessed to be a part of a church that believes and lives prayer. There is strength in knowing that people are calling upon the Father in your behalf. It is amazing the many reminders the Lord sends during each day just to show that you are not alone and that He has not forgotten about you. There are no coincidences when it comes to the grace of God. Psalm 138 sums up my heart at this point in my life. I am content in knowing that God will preserve me and save me with His right hand. It is good to be in the center of His right hand. If you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, read Psalm 138 and cling on to God's right hand no matter where you find yourself.
I know many are wondering where we are with Cammi. She is home today and we are praising the Lord. A PET scan is scheduled for the end of December and the hopes are that it will show no more cancer activity. If that is the case, then she will undergo a stem cell transplant in January. She is doing well and appreciates all of your prayers.
This Sunday will be the first Sunday back in our Worship Center. Things are coming together and it is going to be a great service. Plan to attend and bring someone with you as we celebrate God's goodness to us during this Advent season. The choir will be singing, we will share in communion together, and hear the powerful Word of God. Can’t wait for Sunday to come.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Tying or Unleashing I was reading Mark 6 the other day and saw something that hit me like a ton of bricks. I can possibly tie Jesus’ hands and diminish the impact He wants to have in my life and the lives of others around me. You know the story. Jesus is in the heart of His ministry. Mark doesn’t mess around. He goes from Jesus’ baptism right into His full fledged ministry. Jesus is telling parables, calling disciples, healing the sick, submitting to the Father, telling more parables, and then He goes to His hometown. Things come to a crashing halt. Not because He wants them to, but because they are too familiar with Him and took offense at the things He was doing. Jesus said, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor” (Mark 6:4). They were not open to allow Jesus to be who He was called to be and they did not believe. Don’t misread this passage. We do not have authority or power over Jesus. However, our faith does determine the outcome of some circumstances though. We can’t miss that. If it is God’s will and our faith is not in line with what He is doing, then we can tie His hands. Look at the next few verses. “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith”(Mark 6:5-6). Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. They should have known better. So Jesus was forced to move on and perform miracles elsewhere. There was another time Jesus was amazed. It is found in Luke 7:2-10. “Jesus was entering Capernaum and a centurion’s servant was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.” This time Jesus is amazed at such great faith. The result was Jesus being able to perform miracles. Tell me, which do you want to be known for? Do you want to tie God’s hands or unleash Him this Christmas? It is pretty plain that we have a role to play this Christmas. You may not be up on stage in the spotlight for all to see. But God is watching. He is looking for faith-filled people so He can do miracles in our midst. Just think, there is someone primed and ready to receive some type of miracle this season and you may be the one who holds a key element. The miracle may be hearts turning to God. Imagine . . . Our first Sunday to be in our newly renovated Worship Center will be on December 13. It is going to be a great day with our choir singing, communion, and the Word of God proclaimed. Have I told you that I have really enjoyed worshipping in our Family Life Center? I really have. Our Worship Team and our people in general are so flexible. Our FLC space has remarkably been transformed into a great worship atmosphere. I love this church and everyone who attends. There is an excitement in the air. This Sunday is the Children’s Musical during the second service. The first service will be a regular service. Come with great anticipation as we bring in the second Sunday of Advent. Remember, through your faith, you unleash Jesus in the room. What a thought! Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
