Overflowing Joy
What a beautiful expression of love on Sunday as Cammi sang and people began to spontaneously stand in worship of the God who promises us to always go before us and never leave us alone. Every Sunday has become a unique expression of what the Lord is doing among us. I thoroughly enjoy worshipping with our church. It’s one of those times where you don’t want to miss the things God is doing in our midst. I believe God is answering the prayers of our people during the front row ministry and through our fasting and praying. To hear the stories of God’s hand at work in the lives of people praying and fasting is exciting. Every day I hear another story of how the Lord orchestrated a miracle or an encounter that can only set up by a Holy God. There are coincidences when God is at work.
If my calculation is right, we have a total of 168 hours each week. If you were to sleep 8 hours each night (that would be nice wouldn’t it?), then that would equal 56 hours. That means we have 112 hours left to work, eat, and spend with our family and friends. That’s a lot of time. Now just take about 3 hours out of that mix and make it a priority to come and worship together with the family of God on Sunday. I know there are other times of prayer and Bible Study with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but nothing compares to combining our voices together in worship, hearing the Word of God preached, and being available to encourage or be encouraged during our corporate time together. If you don’t, then there is so much that you can miss out on. Throw in a little preparation for our time spent together and you have a powerful time of God’s Spirit igniting a common goal.
A prayer warrior by the name of Robert Murray McCheyne wrote, “I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, it is eleven or twelve o’clock before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says, ‘Early will I seek thee; Thou shalt early hear my voice.’ Family prayer loses much of its power and sweetness, and I can do no good to those who come to seek from me. The conscience feels guilty, the soul unfed, the lamp not trimmed. Then when in secret prayer the soul is often out of tune. I feel it is far better to begin with God – to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another.”
What a great way of looking at prayer. I need to get my soul near Jesus before it gets near anyone else. I need to talk to Jesus before I talk to anyone else. During seasons of doubt or questions concerning a matter you are dealing with, what would happen if you talked more to God about it than processing it with someone else? I know there are times we need to process with someone but I think we too quickly jump to that and talk ourselves out of some heart-felt reconciliation moments. Tuning myself up to be a beautiful melody for Him throughout my days should be at the center of my every desire.
Be encouraged in the Lord today. He is on the throne and the enemy is shuttering because we are stepping up our game. No longer are we going to settle for second best, spiritual leftovers, or worn out worship. My heart is in tune with the Lord, my spirit is filled with His Spirit, and my aim is my all in all. Looking forward to what God will do as we gather this Sunday in worship.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
When the Wind Blows
My heart is stirred this morning. Some would describe it as a heavy heart. It’s not heavy with stress and burdens too heavy to bear; it’s more like a sadness and concern. We are in a war – a battle for the souls of mankind. The Lord says that the battle is His. It truly is. But from time to time certain heaviness falls upon us that only God knows.
Today and Friday I will be preaching funerals for two men with different circumstances surrounding their passing. There will be different families gathering to mourn the loss of their loved one. The common thread between the two will be the fact that extended families and loved ones will gather to pay their last respects. Among the people who will be gathering will be those who have a strong faith in Christ. They will be praying for the Lord to be ever present and ministering in and through the funeral. There will be those who are going through the motions of life and just getting by day to day. There will be some who feel they have it all together and they are far from having it all together. The pattern of this world has settled in so much that they don’t realize the spiritual state they are in. There will be some who are just dragging themselves in and don’t want to focus too much on what is being said because they don’t want to face life in general. Some will just be numb. Numb from all the events that have taken place.
I know the Lord is going to be there. Praise God that He has been orchestrating Himself in our lives for such a time as this. Here is the verse I am proclaiming as I prepare for these services: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26-27
There is a song that Sandi Patty sings called “I’ll Give You Peace.” Read the words and search for the song on YouTube and just listen as the Holy Spirit is sent to your aid to remind you of the Words of Jesus.
Peace, I’ll Give You Peace
Sometimes when you're in the valleys
All of your burdens you carry alone
Oh, but I know, I know when you need Me
Call I'll be there
Longing to prove how much I care
Peace, I'll give you peace
When the wind blows on
Peace, whenever you call Me
I'll give you peace
When the wind blows on
Heartaches, whenever your heart aches
I want to be there
To help see you through
When you're weary
You know you can find all the strength that you need
Find your rest and your hope in Me
No matter how long the night may last,
I'll keep you safe 'til the storm is past
Oh, I'll give you
Peace, sweet peace
When the wind blows on
Peace, whenever you call Me
I'll give you peace
When the wind blows on
I'll give you peace when the wind starts blowing
Peace, I'll give you peace
If you are in the midst of life’s struggles, know that a loving Heavenly Father is for you and has gone to great lengths to comfort you during this storm you may be experiencing. His peace is available even when the wind starts to blow before the storm. It embraces you and prepares you for what is to come. It is only for a short time because joy comes in the morning. God will strengthen you with His right hand. Receive that today no matter what the circumstance. God is Faithful…
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
A Cloud of Witnesses
I was standing in the office today and Pastor Nate called me in to see something he discovered on his computer. It was a photo of a baptism service that took place at the Morse’s house on August 15, 2010. We were baptizing Penny Altman, Clarissa Broadwater, Jill Davidson, Bob Knight, Stephanie Koch, Katie Mead, Kathy St. Myer, and Taylor Shellito. It was a great day as we ate together and enjoyed rich fellowship with others in our church. Below you will see a picture from that day. As you look closely, you will see not just one person who has gone home to be with the Lord in recent years but six. If you can zoom in you will see (from left to right): Lorna Morse, Larry Broadwater, Paul Fry, Lee Burgard, Mindy Peterson, and Glenn Morris.
It reminds me of the verse that 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” - Hebrews 12:1-3
The great cloud of witnesses this verse mentions is the Hall of Faith crew from Hebrew 11. I believe those mentioned in this picture are a part of that great cloud. What a beautiful picture to use to bring that verse alive.
As we fast and pray, thank the Lord for those who have made a mark on this church. We are all better because of the impact each one has had. You may be so new to our church that you only knew a few or you may not know any. Let me tell you, they were wonderful, God fearing people who loved the Lord with all their heart. Our church will forever be unique because of the eternal impact made during their short lives. As I look out across the congregation, there are many more people of God who make this church what it is. I am grateful to be a part of such an awesome church.
Just today, we will be serving lunch to the teachers at Northview School. Several have made different kinds of soups for them in order to show the love of Jesus and remind them there is a church praying for them. If you would like to be a part of this ongoing ministry, call the church office and we will put you in contact with Sharon Dawson.
Thank you for the way you serve and love others with the love of Jesus! I’m looking forward to another Spirit-filled day at the Naz…
Also, you will have another opportunity for prayer tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 as you remember Ash Wednesday. You may come and go in the worship center anytime during that hour.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
A Call to Prayer and Fasting
In the month of February, our church is committing to fast for Spiritual Breakthrough not only individually, but as a church. Many times we gather together and worship on Sundays, enjoy Bible Study throughout the week, and fellowship on occasion, without even knowing the day-to-day struggles that try to overcome each other. This month will be a month of letting go of some things that have hindered us from going all out for Christ.
This morning as the “Front Row Ministry” met to pray, I read Isaiah 58. Verse 6 says, “Is not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Obviously they were approaching their fast with a wrong heart attitude. According to previous verses, they were doing what was pleasing to themselves instead of God. They were oppressing, exploiting, and fighting with each other and just letting things get out of hand. This is all after it was said that they seek out the Lord day after day. They are even eager to know the ways of the Lord and put them into practice. What cut in on them and changed their focus?
When the people of God decide to get serious, discipline themselves, and get in spiritual shape, our spiritual enemy begins to bring resistance. The devil will not give up territory he has conquered. We still fight to resist the devil as before, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
When we fast, God does not only want the denial of food for the body — He wants to free those who are unjustly enslaved by us or anyone in authority through our words or conversations, feed the hungry, set the financially strapped free, and clothe the naked. There is so much more that God wants to do in our lives. He wants the natural in your day to become supernatural encounters. It is exciting to think about what God will do when we intentionally seek His face.
I will be preaching a series of messages on fasting. It will give us a better grasp on what the Bible says and how we can engage in this much-needed discipline.
There are a few opportunities for us to come together and pray during the month of February. Everyone is invited to join the “Front Row Ministry” every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. It is keeping God in the center of our church. Every Sunday we pray at 8:00 a.m. in room 202 across from the office. On Ash Wednesday, February 10, we will open the Worship Center from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. before Boost for prayer.
Friday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m., we will be showing the movie, “War Room.” Whether you have seen it or not, you will want to come and invite your friends. It is a good reminder of how powerful prayer is and how making it a priority will change our marriages, our lives, and our focus. There is no cost involved in the movie and it will take place in our Worship Center.
May God show you unsearchable things as you fast and pray. May you know Him more as you recall his provision and protection over your life.
Looking forward to a great day in the Lord on Sunday and the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Sunday evening. It’s another great day to be in the House of the Lord.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
