tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77546361589648001872024-03-05T00:27:01.130-05:00Faith Builders Archive: Pastor Mike's BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-32484441641286880672017-03-01T18:41:00.000-05:002017-04-16T00:48:26.960-04:00Pastor Mike's NEW Blog Website<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today's blog and future blog posts can be found at:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pastormikeblog.weebly.com/blog">www.pastormikeblog.weebly.com/blog</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
<br />
Nate Stults<br />
Blog AdminAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-33293237534399665562017-02-22T16:18:00.003-05:002017-02-22T16:19:06.946-05:00 What is a Disciple?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>What is a Disciple?</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />Today I would like to briefly look at what it means to be a disciple. A disciple, according to the New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition), is basically the pupil of a teacher. The Jews considered themselves to ultimately be disciples of Moses (John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1623131141" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:28</span></span>) since his teaching formed the basis of rabbinic instruction. John the Baptist had followers referred to as disciples as well as the Pharisees (Mark <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1623131142" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:18</span></span>). The term disciple refers to very close associates who were in a sense, apprentices. They would follow and learn from their teacher.<br /><br />When Jesus was calling His first disciples, He said, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” </em></span>Mark <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1623131143" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:17</span></span>. At once they left their nets to go and follow Jesus. This call involved personal allegiance, and giving Him exclusive loyalty. Jesus pretty much spells it out in Matthew when He said, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” </em></span>Matthew 16:24-25. It was a call to put Jesus first no matter what the cost. This attitude went well beyond the normal pupil-teacher relationship and gave the word “disciple” a new sense.<br /><br />According to Luke, the members of the early church were known as disciples (Acts 6:1). In our church, we call our classes, “Discipleship Classes” because we are learning what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ as well as study, apply, and put into practice the Word of God.<br /><br />Let me simply ask you this question, “What marks of discipleship do others see in you?” Let me take it a little deeper. “What marks of discipleship does God see?”<br /><br />May God find that you are fully devoted to Him in your heart. May the Words of God always fill you, lead you, and influence this lost world. Keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t fall for the distractions of life the enemy throws your way.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-81488571551764159032017-02-15T16:16:00.000-05:002017-02-22T16:16:57.544-05:00Perfect Pitch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: darkgreen; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Perfect Pitch</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />As I gathered this morning for prayer in the Worship Center, I thought of the many times that my flesh did not want to get up and pray. My spirit was willing but my flesh was weak. There was a time in the life of Jesus where the burdens of this world were so heavy on Him that He went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray. He was coming near to the end of His time with the disciples and His life as they knew it. “My soul is overwhelmed with the sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” Matthew 26:38. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to pray for God’s will as He poured out His heart before the Lord. He returned to find the disciples in a state that many of us find ourselves – asleep. Jesus said, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Couldn’t you keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”</em></span> Matthew 26:40-41. He went away and came back a second time only to find them asleep again. Then a third time it happened again.<br /><br />Robert Murray McCheyne, a prayer warrior, wrote the following, “I ought to pray before seeing anyone. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, it is eleven or <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1623131140" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">twelve o’clock</span></span> before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ arose before day and went into a solitary prayer place. David says: ‘Early will I seek thee; Thou shall 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.”<br /><br />There are some people who have perfect pitch. When you ask them to sing a certain note, they hit it every time. Then there are those who are tone deaf. You ask them to hit a certain note and you will get many notes. Let’s just say it is not the right one. Vickie and I traveled with a girl in college who had perfect pitch. It was amazing to try to catch her off guard and see if she would hit the wrong note. It never happened. She got it right every time.<br /><br />Living our life in perfect pitch is starting the day in the right posture. As we continue to fast and pray this month, don’t get discouraged. Don’t let your body dictate how you will live today. Do whatever it takes to put God first in all things.<br /><br />I am praying for you as you pray and saturate in the Word of God. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the New Testament from our Community Bible Experience. I know that many are reading and finding new things they have never seen before. If you still want to begin this journey, it is not too late to pick up a New Testament at church.<br /><br />May people find you in perfect peace (pitch) today because you have spent time with the Heavenly Father this morning.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-90241701665144766352017-02-08T12:31:00.002-05:002017-02-08T12:31:16.332-05:00Jesus’ Prayer Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Jesus’ Prayer Life</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />We are on full week into fasting and praying as a church. We also began reading through the New Testament <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271012" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Monday</span></span> of this week. The reading began in Luke and moves to Acts. Have you noticed how Luke emphasizes the humanity of Christ, stressing the human side of the perfect God-man? As you read through Luke you can’t help but notice the prayer life of Jesus. It emphasizes how important prayer was in the life of Jesus.<br /><br />Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271013" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:21</span></span><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened.</em></span><br /><br />Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271014" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:16</span></span><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.</em></span><br /><br />Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271015" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:12</span></span><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.</em></span><br /><br />Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271016" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:18</span></span><br /><em><span style="color: firebrick;">Once when Jesus was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”</span></em><br /><br />Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271017" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:28</span></span><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>About eight days after Jesus said this, He took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray.</em></span><br /><br />Luke 11:1<br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”</em></span><br /><br />Luke 18:1<br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.</em></span><br /><br />Luke 22:40-41<br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>On reaching the place, He said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” <strong><sup>41 </sup></strong>He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,</em></span><br /><br />Jesus was a man of prayer and that helped to keep Him on course with the Father. He not only taught on prayer but was the model of prayer. He prayed often. He prayed at all seasons. He prayed alone. Often He prayed at night. He had favorite places for prayer. He started His public ministry with prayer and fasting, and the last thing He did before He died was to pray. At times He would arise in the morning and went alone to pray. His whole life screams, “Pray at all times, make it a priority!”<br /><br />Jesus didn’t pray because it was a daily habit. He prayed because there was power in prayer. I think we forget the fact that Jesus was all man when Luke wrote about His life. He chose to put His deity aside and live within the limitations of human beings. He was God the Son, but He operated as a man who needed to pray in order to accomplish the eternal plan of the Father. It was His prayer that built the Kingdom of God and destroyed the strongholds of Satan. Oh what a Savior!<br /><br />After Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, Jesus said, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“I have left you an example that you should do as I have done” </em></span>John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006271018" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">13:15</span></span>. As you continue on the journey of fasting, praying, and saturating in the Word of God, let Christ’s example be to us our strongest call to prayer. May God see your hungering heart today…<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-13179385693170378652017-02-01T10:04:00.000-05:002017-02-03T10:05:04.812-05:00Better Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Better Together</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />I am excited that our Church is fasting in the month of February. I have heard many different ways people are going to fast from giving up social media to television, from fasting a particular day to fasting several days, from giving up certain groups of foods to eating certain types of food. It is exciting to see the excitement and anticipation beginning to build.<br /><br />One of the main reasons we fast is to open doors we thought were closed — because when we fast and pray, it is like opening a door. It can be in the form of a stronghold that is present in your life and you didn’t realize it until you changed your routine and sought the heart of God in a desperate way. Another opened door could be new life in your walk with Christ. Things have just become stale as you go through your life. One of the doors you open may be one that reveals how self-sufficient you have become.<br /><br />When our pattern resembles the world, then life becomes out of balance. We get over-committed and so full of blind activity that we become too busy and too tired to pray. As P.T. Forsyth warns, “The inability to pray is the punishment for the refusal to pray.” Bottom line, life becomes mundane; mediocre at best.<br /><br /><em><span style="color: firebrick;">This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift!”</span> -- Isaiah 30:15-16</em><br /><br />Flight is a good image of the kind of activity that dominates prayerless people and prayerless churches. We get caught up in going without being sent. We go places that have nothing to do with Kingdom living. We are to come together and join with each other in our prayers in order to unleash God in our lives. Most of what the Bible says about prayer is addressed to groups or churches. It is about coming together to pray corporately.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”</em></span> Acts <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006270989" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:14</span></span><br /><br />All throughout the book of Acts you see prayer meetings breaking out where the believers came together to pray. So let me invite you to pray and fast with us. What spiritual breakthrough do you need this month? I know that I am praying for an anointing to fall fresh on our church. We want to continue to be a beacon of hope in our community.<br /><br />So let me encourage you to commit to fasting along with us. If you weren’t able to pick up a fasting brochure, get one the next time you are by the church or this Sunday coming up. Let me also encourage you to be accountable and pray with a few others along this spiritual journey. We are better together.<br /><br /><strong>My Fasting Vow:</strong> I believe God is the answer to my request and that prayer without fasting is not enough to get an answer to my need. Therefore, by faith I am fasting because I need God to work in this matter. God being my strength and grace being my basis, I commit myself to fasting and praying for the month of February.<br /><br />I am looking forward to worshipping together <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006270990" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> as we begin a new series, “Unstoppable.”<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike<br /><br />P.S. Don’t forget to pray for our Chinese Worship Service beginning this Sunday at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2006270991" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4 p.m.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-56700956609655002392017-01-25T16:14:00.000-05:002017-03-02T16:15:10.353-05:00A Time to Fast for Spiritual Breakthrough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: darkgreen; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>A Time to Fast for Spiritual Breakthrough</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /><em><span style="color: firebrick;">“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” </span> Joel <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2014480972" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:12</span></span></em><br /><br />Below you will find a devotional I wrote for last year’s preparation for fasting. So if it sounds familiar, it is. We are still in desperate need of the Lord to move in a powerful way among our families, community, and world.<br /><br />In Mark 9 we read of an incident when Jesus found the disciples unable to cast a demon out of a possessed child. Jesus then shows them the power of perfect faith in an Almighty God and heals the child. The disciples come to Jesus after everything settles down and asks, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” Mark <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2014480973" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:29</span></span>.<br /><br />In the month of February, we are calling the church to fast and pray. We are strongly encouraging the whole church to humble themselves in the sight of God and believe that He wants to do a mighty work beyond our comprehension. Partner with someone in your Discipleship Class or your Lifepoint Group. It is better to do this together. We are going to pray for miracles, healing, salvation for lost friends, issues that have troubled our spirits, and burdens too heavy to bear. Some of the obstacles may still be in people’s lives because they have not taken the time to fast and pray. Could it be that our church could see some strongholds disappear when we all agree and fast together during this time? I believe it can happen.<br /><br />Throughout the Bible we see many examples of people going beyond the daily prayer life to fasting for a spiritual breakthrough. In Daniel 10 we read that Daniel ate no choice food, no meat or wine for three weeks. The result was God releasing angels that fought on his behalf.<br /><br />Ezra led the whole congregation of Israel in prayer and fasting. Look at the result. <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” </em></span>Ezra <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2014480974" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:23</span></span>.<br /><br />Our nation, our church, our families, and our individual lives need to humble ourselves and desperately call upon the Lord. Fasting is one way to show God how desperate you are for His presence in your life. It is a biblical way to truly humble you in the sight of God. It also enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life. The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you.<br /><br />Begin now to pray how the Lord wants you to approach this fast in February. Here are some options of different kinds of fasts:<br /> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"></span><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The <u>normal fast</u> is going without food for a definite period during which you ingest only liquids (water and / or juice). The duration can be 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, or all 28 days of February. Extreme care would be taken with longer fasts, which should only be attempted after medical advice from your physician. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The <u>absolute fast</u> allows no food or water at all, and should be short. Moses fasted for 40 days; but this would kill anyone without supernatural intervention, and should never be attempted without medical supervision. Be sure to test the spirit that tries to talk you into a 40-day fast, even if it includes liquids. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The <u>partial fast</u> is one that omits certain foods or is on a schedule that includes limited eating. It may consist of omitting one meal a day. Eating only fresh vegetables for several days is also a good partial fast. People who have hypoglycemia or other diseases might consider this kind of fast. </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">A <u>rotational fast</u> consists of eating or omitting certain families of foods for designated periods. For example, grains may be eaten only every fourth day. The various food families are rotated so that some food is available each day.<br />The key in picking your fast is to follow through on what you have decided in your heart. Write it down and pray that you will fulfill your commitment. You may even want to lead your family through Scripture around the dinner table or before bedtime. Again, ask the Lord to show you what to do as you give Him full access to every chamber of your life and discard anything that causes your love for Him to grow cold.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our fasting will begin on Wednesday, February 1 and go the whole month. We will break our fast on Wednesday, March 1 and have a celebration service in the Worship Center.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">May God bless you today and may He prepare you to come and worship Him together with your church family on Sunday.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Joy in Jesus!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-88979115743502425432017-01-18T13:03:00.003-05:002017-01-18T13:03:46.249-05:00From Here to There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>From Here to There</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />This morning during the Front Row Ministry at the church, the Lord drew me to a verse found in Matthew. It was the passage that Jesus heals a boy who the disciples could not heal. The disciples came to Jesus in private and asked Him why they couldn’t heal in this particular situation. Jesus replied, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”</em></span> Matthew <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2122806470" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">17:20</span></span>. Mark <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2122806471" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:29</span></span> says,<span style="color: firebrick;"><em> “This kind can only come out by prayer and fasting.”</em></span><br /><br />What mountain do you need to move from here to there? I know I have some mountains that need moving. I was mentioning to our staff the other day that it just seems like we are in a season when everything seems to be an uphill climb. It’s not impossible; it’s just going to take a little more gumption than usual.<br /><br />Starting in the month of February, we will be fasting and praying as a whole congregation. There are many different kinds of fasts. The key is to state your intention as we begin together and follow through with it. I heard the other day where someone said they have fasted their words before. They talked about speaking only what the Spirit of God wants them to say. That they would not speak or participate in any negative conversation that would grieve the Holy Spirit. Now <em>that</em> is something we should always be doing but I think it would be good to intentionally look for ways that we use our words. We are serious about increasing our faith so God can do miracles through our lives. Starting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2122806472" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>, we will have an insert in the bulletin explaining how we are going to approach our fasting. Be sure and pick one up so you can thoroughly prepare.<br /><br />There will also be an opportunity to participate in a Community Bible Experience where we will read through the New Testament <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2122806473" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">in eight weeks</span></span>. The Bibles can be purchased in the foyer starting<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2122806474" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. They are only $5 apiece and you will also get some online resources to make this more rewarding.<br /><br />Pray with me as we prepare to move mountains in our church. I desperately want to move from here and get to where God wants me to be.<br /><br />I am looking forward to continuing in the series, “Eternal.” Have a blessed Day!<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike<br /> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-88564540281894156392017-01-11T14:25:00.003-05:002017-01-11T14:25:24.595-05:00Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: green;"><strong>Prayer</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />From time to time I like to remind us of how vital prayer is for our personal growth, our families, our church, and our nation. Look at a few familiar verses concerning prayer:<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”</em></span> James <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309025" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:16</span></span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing”</em></span> 1 Timothy 2:8.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Pray continually”</em></span> 1 Thessalonians <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309026" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:17</span></span>.<br /><br /><em><span style="color: firebrick;">“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”</span></em> Philippians 4:6.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him” </em></span>Matthew <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309027" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:11</span></span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”</em></span> Romans <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309028" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:12</span></span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” </em></span>Matthew 26:41.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;">“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”</span> Mark <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309029" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11:24</span></span>.<br /><br />After reading these verses, I am reminded that in order to be in a vital relationship with God, prayer needs to be a pivotal, daily activity that is intentionally sought after. It has to be developed and placed in the involuntary muscle category of our life.<br /><br />There are two new initiatives we are promoting beginning in February. The first is to fast during the month of February. We started this last year and thought it would be good to repeat it again this year. We heard so many good stories of how God was speaking to people and many answers to prayer. Inserts will be available in our bulletins in the near future.<br /><br />The second one is to “Read Big.” We will be reading through the New Testament <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309030" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">in eight weeks</span></span>like you have never done before. It will take about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. You can purchase a special Bible (beginning <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309031" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Jan. 22</span></span>) for $5 to begin the journey which starts <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309032" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday, February 6</span></span>. The paperback Bible is without chapters and verses. Daily email reminders are sent and also gives you more understanding of the context of what you are reading. We will discover our place in God’s story when we immerse ourselves in the redemptive drama of the Bible.<br /><br />These two initiatives are best done in community. It is one thing to do it on your own, but it is a rich experience when you do it with others. Read your portion throughout the week and then process it by asking five simple questions. In other words, share your thoughts, discoveries, and responses with others as you partner with them and encourage each other along this journey. Begin to pray now for a friend or maybe even your Lifepoint group that will help keep you accountable to follow through on these two life-changing initiatives. It will be worth it all.<br /><br />I’m looking forward to a great day <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1589309033" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>…<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-82821943244236167122017-01-04T14:27:00.000-05:002017-01-11T14:27:14.136-05:00Abiding in 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: darkgreen;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Abiding in 2017</span></strong></span></h2>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">It’s hard to believe that we are a few days into the New Year. Many have made new year resolutions and some have even broken them already. It is always good to have a new beginning from time to time. I love the opportunity to set new goals and look to a brighter future. Can I remind you to take the time to think about how you are going to grow in your relationship with the Lord? Take the time today to read John 15:1-17. Our first priority in growing closer to God is to abide or remain in Christ. It doesn’t say to perform or to earn your relationship. It simply says, “abide.” The Message Paraphrase uses phrases like, “Live in Me, Joined with Me, Make yourself at home with Me, and Remain intimately at home in My love.” It’s a call to do nothing but rest in Christ. Yes, you read that right. You are to do nothing but abide. This is a crucial step to abiding. Marvel at what God has done for you and not what you think you have done to attain it. Don’t let 2017 become a year of aimless living. Abide in Christ and let God move on your life in a powerful way. The overflow of what God will do from getting out of the way is out of this world…</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Here is John 15:1-17 from the Message:</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">The Vine and the Branches</strong><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">15 <sup>1-3 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>4 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>5-8 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>9-10 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>11-15 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>16 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><sup>17 </sup></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">“But remember the root command: Love one another.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">What are some ways you can begin to simply abide in Christ today?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">I am looking forward to a great year of growing in Christ with you.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Joy in Jesus!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-68808633514271473082016-12-28T18:35:00.000-05:002016-12-31T18:35:35.804-05:00Uniquely D.E.S.I.G.N.ed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">
<strong>Uniquely D.E.S.I.G.N.ed</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Psalm 139:14<br />I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.<br /><br />Romans 12:6<br />We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;</em><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">From time to time we offer a class called, “Strengths Finder.” You take a test to figure out what your top 5 strengths are. It is pretty accurate. Most of the time people are not shocked at what they find out. It matches up with what you are drawn to. My question for you as you get ready to cross over into another year is, “What unique quality has God gifted you with?”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Let me suggest a series of questions for you to consider to identify your unique D.E.S.I.G.N.? </span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Drives:</strong> What excites you? What fires you up? </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Experiences:</strong> What experiences makes you unique from other people? </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Spirituality:</strong> How do you best connect with God? </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Impact:</strong> What arena do you feel most compelled to impact? </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Genius:</strong> What do you do repeatedly, successfully, happily? </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Nature:</strong> What is your personality? Extrovert, introvert, structured, spontaneous? </li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Write down your answers to each of these questions and pray for the Lord to use you to make a difference in the places He leads you this new year. May God provides opportunities for you to glorify His name as you safely cross over to 2017.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Joy in Jesus!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Pastor Mike</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-80697309806744397772016-12-21T16:51:00.002-05:002016-12-21T16:51:26.610-05:00The Purpose of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: green;"><strong>The Purpose of Christmas</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Yes, this past Sunday</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> was another bad stormy day. I remember in 2007 when it was nice all week long and then the weekend came and it the weather turned bad for 9 weeks straight. We are working on 2 weekends of bad weather so far. I just hope and pray that it is not so bad this weekend as we gather for a wonderful Christmas weekend.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One thing that this weekend did do though was to help us to experiment on putting our services on the web. We have heard some good feedback on this and we are going to explore what we need to do in order to get our services on our website in the not so far away future.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">While this season is all about the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was not to give us the sweet picture of a baby in a Bethlehem manger. The little baby was born to die for you and for me and thus pay for the forgiveness of our sins. He was born to die so that we might be reconciled to God.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So while we are out and about going from one party to the next, from one family gathering to the next, don’t just think of a baby in a manger. Christmas is much more than that. It is about God coming to earth in human flesh so He could die on the Cross to pay for your salvation and destroy the works of the devil in our lives! That is what Christmas is all about!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In Philippians 2, Paul connects the birth narrative with the cross narrative. As he writes about God becoming a man, he goes on to express the ultimate reason God chose to take this amazing action. Paul says in verse 8, “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The word fashion is the Greek word </span><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">schema</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. It is the same word that was used to describe a king who exchanged his kingly garments for a brief period of time for the clothing of a beggar. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use this word which describes what we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus comes to earth, sheds His glorious appearance and exchanges it for the clothing of human flesh. Although man is wonderfully made, it cannot be compared to the eternal and glorious appearance of God. However, for the sake of our redemption, God laid all of the glorious things aside and made in the likeness of a human being.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The story doesn’t stop there. Not only did Jesus take on the clothing of a servant, but He loved us so much that He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross! The word “humbled,” is being willing to stoop to any measure that is needed. This describes the attitude God had when He took upon Himself human flesh. The Creator became like His creation with limitations put on Himself. The fact that He had to become obedient in the flesh shows that it was not an easy task. He humbled Himself to the point of dying a humiliating death on a Cross to purchase the debt we could not pay.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So as you celebrate Christmas this weekend, be sure to remember the real purpose of Christmas. Let me encourage you to get in a discussion with someone about the greatest gift of life that we received because God entered our story with the purpose of taking our place on the Cross.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I’m looking forward to celebrating Christ with you this weekend at our Christmas Eve Service at 4 or 6pm</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, and on Christmas Sunday</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> morning at 10:45am.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Joy in Jesus!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-58040109974509411822016-12-14T13:03:00.003-05:002016-12-14T13:03:20.521-05:00The First Noel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>The First Noel</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /><em>And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.</em>(Luke 2:8)<br /><br />What a wonderful time we had last Wednesday night during Operation Serve as we divided up and visited different families to sing carols, spread Christmas cheer, and deliver some goodies. The Christmas season would not be complete without singing “The First Noel.” Have you ever wondered where this song came from? I don’t think the shepherds sang it around manger that very first Christmas. It is believed to have had its rise in France during the 15th century. <em>Noel</em> is a French word originating from Latin meaning “birthday.” The song is thought to have been brought across the channel to England by the wandering troubadours. The carol under the English form, “Nowell,” became a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially west of England. This was when the entire village gathered for singing and celebrating the bringing in of the Yule log. At this time carols were thought of as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside the church rather than within.<br /><br />“The First Noel” portrays, in vivid narrative style, the story of the birth of Christ. All six verses are needed to complete the entire event when the hymn is sung. The sixth stanza urges us to join together to sing praises to God for the marvels of His creation and for the salvation provided through Christ’s shed blood. The repetition of the joyous “noel” in the refrain is equivalent to our singing out “happy birthday” to someone.<br /><br />It is interesting to observe that the “King of Israel” was first announced to “certain poor shepherds” only, but in the final stanza the phrases “let us all” and “mankind hath brought” remind us that Christ came to redeem the whole world.<br /> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="color: firebrick;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>The first noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay—in fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.<br /><br />They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.<br /><br />And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.<br /><br />This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.<br /><br />Then entered in those wise men three, full rev’rently upon their knee, and offered there, in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.<br /><br />Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly Lord, that hath made heav’n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.<br /><br /><strong>Refrain: </strong>Noel, noel! Noel, noel! Born is the King of Israel!</em></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />The <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313026" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> before Christmas is always a special <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313027" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> in our church as we lift our voices together celebrating the birth of Jesus and lighting the 4<sup>th</sup> Advent Candle. I have especially sensed a peaceful spirit this year during all of our activities as a church family. So many activities that have ushered in the season from the awesome Children’s Musical to Operation Serve <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313028" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span>night, to the Chinese Ministry party, to random acts of kindness as our church family gave gifts to families represented around the tree in the foyer, to the series, “The Light that Overcomes.” We still have our Christmas Eve service to look forward too as well. This year Christmas will be <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313029" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. We plan to have one service at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313030" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:45 a.m.</span></span> with special communion being served.<br /><br />Every year I forget to mention the traditional red sock <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313031" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> for the men. We always have it on the fourth <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313032" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> of Advent. That will be this <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313033" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday, December 18</span></span>. Since it is a special year with Christmas being <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313034" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>, we will also give a second chance for the men to wear their red socks. Pass the word around. This is our 16<sup>th</sup> year to have this tradition so I think it is appropriate to have two Sundays to celebrate it.<br /><br />Let’s allow the joy of Christ’s birth to be reflected on our faces and be heard in our glad singing of praises to Him all through this Christmas season.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-36120056848367720692016-12-07T17:16:00.000-05:002016-12-14T17:17:05.112-05:00The Advent of Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA83kxlxTx26jpq6K1cQGpiSrUOy3IQQDqRFYtNNPJD-5wHPyg9yE3yVEkmI2MX_SHLRjC9CinCJBhU-zBWloYC-Kgk38DpioCJNQ3lLTsDvzIB1DYiK2f5awK2VRX-ypifLPyO5WiVkc/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;">The Advent of Christ</span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;"> Did you know that Advent is not only preparing for the Christ child to come in the manger, it is also tied to the second Advent – the return of Christ and the home-going of those who are in relationship with Jesus Christ? Jesus coming to earth was a history-changing, life-changing event. Had He not come as a babe in the manger on that night long ago, we would not have had the man Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. The reality of Advent never changes. We are in a season of Advent where we walk in preparation to receive Christ again. I remember as a child, going to the altar many times to accept Christ into my heart. We don’t believe that you have to ask Jesus to come into your heart several times before He actually saves you. But it is good to have a soft heart toward God. I would much rather see someone burn a path to the altar several times than to have a hard heart and not come at all.<br /><br />I have been seeing a lot of new people coming and seeking the heart of God in our church. It is good to see people drawn to His spirit, not because we have the latest music, but because the Spirit of God is alive and active in our congregation. I don’t want to see a growing church because it is the popular place to be. I want to see a growing church because God is moving on the hearts of people. People are coming to know the Christ of Christmas and are ready to receive the Christ of the last days. It’s all one and the same and it is just as powerful today as it was when Jesus died on the cross.<br /><br />Look with me at what Paul tells the believers in Thessalonica:<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">13 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. </span></em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">14 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. </span></em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">15 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. </span></em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">16 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. </span></em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">17 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. </span></em><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><sup><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">18 </span></sup></i></strong><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Therefore encourage one another with these words.</span></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;"><br /><br />Jesus’ return is sooner than ever. Let’s enjoy this Advent season as we look forward to the glorious day of Jesus’ return.<br /><br />Our children did a fantastic job <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313044" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. It goes down in the history books as the biggest attendance we have had as a church. We saw 545 people in both of the services. Our children presented the Christmas story in such a dynamic way. I am reminded every <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313045" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> how blessed we are to have such a God-filled, Holy Spirit, Bible believing Church.<br /><br />I want to invite everyone to come and be a part of “Operation Serve” <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313046" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tonight</span></span>. We will meet in the Family Life Center at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313047" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30 p.m.</span></span> and divide up into groups to go sing and visit many different needs in our church family. Bring the whole family and plan to stay for a short time of fellowship afterward.<br /><br />This <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313048" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">next Sunday</span></span> is the third <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_585313049" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> of Advent. We will continue our series, “The Light that Overcomes” as we look at Christmas story through the eyes of Matthew. We will also celebrate church membership by bringing several new members into the church. It’s going to be a great day! Come and see what God is doing…<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-59976393714934494852016-11-30T14:08:00.003-05:002016-11-30T14:08:11.909-05:00Watching Over Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Watching Over Us</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />This morning at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_144417289" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:36 a.m.</span></span> I was awoken to a text message on my cell phone. It was from American Express. They asked if I attempted to purchase something that morning. They wanted me to reply with “yes” or “no.” After I replied “no,” a quick response came back asking for me to call them to discuss this purchase. I was thinking, “Do you know what time it is? Why would I want to call and discuss a fraudulent purchase on my card? You know it isn’t, I just told you, now leave me alone so I can get some more sleep!” After laying there for a few minutes, I crawled out of bed and called them. Don’t get me wrong, I am very appreciative of Amex watching over my accounts at night while I sleep. I just wish that we could deal with this when the sun is shining on my end of the earth. It turned out to be a fraudulent charge and they cancelled the card. They are even going to send me another card over night so I don’t miss any shopping opportunities around the holidays. So, someone is going to stay up all night and drive my card to my house so I can be secure. I feel so special. Now, I hope they catch the one who tried to purchase something at ungodly hours, keeping me, the fraudulent department of Amex, and the mailman who will deliver my package <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_144417290" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>, up all night.<br /><br />That reminds me of a Psalm 121, where the writer recalls how the Lord watches over us at all hours of the night. He does not need sleep. It says that the Lord will watch over our life and keep us from harm. So today, I rejoice in the Lord that He always watches over my day and my night. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. Take a moment and read this Psalm and rejoice with me about our personal living God who cares for us so much that He sent His Son to experience life on this earth with all of its temptations and blessings.<br /><br /><strong><em>Psalm 121</em></strong><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><strong><em><sup>1 </sup></em></strong><em>I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? <strong><sup>2 </sup></strong>My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. <strong><sup>3 </sup></strong>He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; <strong><sup>4 </sup></strong>indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.</em><br /><strong><em><sup>5 </sup></em></strong><em>The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; <strong><sup>6 </sup></strong>the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. <strong><sup>7 </sup></strong>The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; <strong><sup>8 </sup></strong>the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.</em></span><br /><br />The Lord thinks so much of us that He personally is involved in our protection. This chapter doesn’t say that He sends His angels to watch over us. He personally takes it upon Himself. What a God we serve! So if you get a call in the middle of the night from your credit card company, let it be a reminder that the Lord watches over more important things that will make an eternal impact on our life.<br /><br />I am looking forward to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_144417291" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> as we participate in the annual children’s musical and look at the story of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. The key verse is found in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” It’s going to be a glorious day! Come and worship the new born King together.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-17215881501236616182016-11-23T18:13:00.003-05:002016-11-23T18:13:50.697-05:00Give Thanks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Give Thanks!</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />Throughout Scripture we are called to give thanks. It doesn’t say to only give thanks when things are going your way or when you feel like it. It says to be thankful in all things and all circumstances. I for one am thankful for what God has brought me through, what He is bringing me through, and what He will bring me through. We are not promised a life filled with everything going our way, but we are told that He will see us through whatever the circumstance.<br /><br />Take the next few minutes and thank the Lord for who He is. His love endures forever. His faithfulness is never ending. Read the following 10 verses on thanksgiving and rejoice in the Living God who blesses us beyond what we deserve.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.</em></span><br /><em>1 Thessalonians <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2127021832" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:18</span></span></em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!</em></span><br /><em>Psalm 107:1</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,</em></span><br /><em>Ephesians <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2127021833" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:20</span></span></em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</em></span><br /><em>Colossians 3:15-17</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.</em></span><br /><em>Philippians 4:6</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!</em></span><br /><em>Psalm 106:1</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.</em></span><br /><em>Colossians 4:2</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!</em></span><br /><em>Psalm 30:12</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!</em></span><br /><em>Psalm 100:4</em><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.</em></span><br /><em>1 Chronicles 29:13</em><br /><br />Enjoy this thanksgiving season by living a thankful life and rejoice in Him forever.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-3235928053422764502016-11-16T14:13:00.003-05:002016-11-16T14:13:28.992-05:00Prayer 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: green;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer 101</span></strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” </em></span></span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ephesians <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190854" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:18</span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /><br />How is your prayer life? Do you pray every day or do you pray only when you are around other believers? Is prayer a daily discipline for you or do you only pray when you get in trouble? These and many other questions probing how consistent you are in your worship, prayer, devotions, and other spiritual practices will either confirm the consistency you are in or it will bring guilt due to a busy lifestyle that has pushed these much-needed habits to sporadic at best.<br /><br />Schedules and tiredness unfortunately push people to the status of “on-again, off-again” way too often. Have you found that you are faithful for a while, and then something happens to get you out of the routine of setting aside much-needed time for God to direct your ways? Bill Hybels wrote a book entitled,<em> “Too Busy Not to Pray</em>.” The title alone gets the message across loud and clear.<br /><br />How often are we supposed to pray? Ephesians <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190855" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:18</span></span> gives us the answer. It says to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. It conveys to pray anytime there’s an opportunity – no matter where you are or what you’re doing. We are to pray at every occasion, every season, and every possible moment. I would recommend not closing your eyes some of those times – especially when you are driving.<br /><br />Along with praying on all occasions, it is good to give God the first part of your day. Set aside specific times where it is just you and the Lord. He longs to spend time with you alone. Prayer is not an optional exercise for the Christian who is serious about their spiritual walk. According to Scripture, believers are to make prayer a top priority.<br /><br />If prayer isn’t a priority in your life right now, why not make it a priority starting today? We all make time to do whatever we want to do. If it’s truly in your heart to pray, you will find the time. Make prayer your first order of business.<br /><br />When you expand your prayer life to include others, it will be good to pick a few friends who are willing to meet on a regular basis. It is always good to pray and share with other brothers or sisters in Christ. This will spur other times of spiritual growth in your daily walk.<br /><br />Be encouraged to know that God loves the time you set aside to pray to Him. He longs to have an intimate relationship beyond the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190856" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> worship experience. He also loves to see you pray with others when they present a need. He even loves it when you pray at different occasions. Let’s grow in our prayer life to be more like Jesus.<br /><br />This Sunday I will be looking at a familiar verse found in John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190857" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:10</span></span>. If your spiritual life has grown stale or you feel you are constantly under attack, then you will want to make sure you make a priority to attend this Sunday during the morning worship. Bring a friend with you to experience all God has for you this weekend. It’s always good to come together and worship the Lord.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
www.findlayfirstnaz.orgAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-46480614384702933302016-11-09T21:15:00.000-05:002016-11-15T21:15:20.458-05:00Post-Election<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Post-Election</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />The election is over. Some are excited about their candidate winning and some are not so excited because their candidate lost. Either way, God is on the throne!<br /><br />Max Lucado is a gifted author who is able to draw word pictures on your mind as you read his books. I want to put an excerpt of an article he wrote and published on the Fox News website. I believe it sums up what people of faith ought to be thinking and living out.<br /><br /><span style="color: green;">“We are really ready for this presidential election to be over. We’re ready for an end to the rancor and tackiness. Voters on both sides feel frustrated, even embarrassed by it all. There is a visceral fear, an angst about the result. What if so and so wins? When we wake up to November 9, post-election, when the confetti is swept away and the election is finally over, what will we see?<br /><br />I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9 will bring – another day of God’s perfect sovereignty.<br /><br />He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on November 9, 2016. </span><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“The LORD can control a king’s mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases”</em></span><span style="color: green;"> (Proverbs 21:1 NCV).<br /><br />On one occasion the Lord turned the heart of the King of Assyria so that he aided them in the construction of the Temple. On another occasion, he stirred the heart of Cyrus to release the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar was considered to be the mightiest king of his generation. But God humbled and put him in “detention” for seven years.</span><span style="color: firebrick;"><em> “The kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations” </em></span><span style="color: green;">(Psalms <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190827" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">22:28</span></span>).<br /><br />Understanding God’s sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.<br /><br />Jeremiah did this. He was the prophet to Israel during one of her darkest periods of rebellion. He was called “the weeping prophet” because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith. He was so distraught that one of his books was entitled Lamentations. But then he considered the work of God. Note the intentionality of his words:</span><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness </em></span><span style="color: green;">(Lam. 3:21-23).<br /><br />Imitate Jeremiah. Lift up your eyes. Dare to believe that good things will happen. Dare to believe that God was speaking to us when He said:</span><span style="color: firebrick;"><em> “In everything God works for the good of those who love Him”</em></span><span style="color: green;"> (Romans <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_462190828" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:28</span></span>).</span><br /><br />I would imagine that several people are worn out because they stayed up and watched the drama unfold. I know I was flipping from station to station to see what was transpiring. Be encouraged today. God is still God. Nothing will ever distract Him. He is not shocked by the things that happen in our time. Keep the faith and believe in the One who saves us. Let’s pray for a peace and unity to be restored to our Nation. It will be a miracle, but God is into miracles.<br /><br />I look forward to a great day of worship on Sunday and another time to get together on Sunday night for our Harvest Dinner. Come rested up and ready to experience the Name of Jesus.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-41610733873037129882016-11-02T16:50:00.003-04:002016-11-02T16:50:36.858-04:00Which Plan Are You Following? (Part 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Which Plan Are You Following? (Part 3)</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />For the past two weeks, we have considered Jesus’ words found in John:<br /><em><span style="color: firebrick;">“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”</span> John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_758878016" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:10</span></span>.</em><br /><br />The enemy of our soul is going to do whatever it takes to step in on any progress we make toward becoming like Jesus. He is relentless in his efforts to discourage followers of Jesus. But don’t get discouraged because Jesus promised to fill us and give us the ability to live above the enemy’s tactics. He calls us to embrace this matchless, incomparable, overflowing life He has provided.<br /><br />In what areas are you not experiencing abundant life? It would be very helpful for you to make a list of these areas so you can pray about them and begin to believe for God’s abundance to flow into these parts of your life.<br /><br />Here is a simple prayer and confession you can pray:<br /><span style="color: blue;"><em>I confess that Jesus Christ gives me a life that is filled with extraordinary abundance! He came that I might retain a zest for living that springs up from deep down inside of me. He gives me a life that is not rattled or easily shaken by any outward event. I therefore embrace this overflowing life that Jesus died to give to me! I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!</em></span><br /><br />When you pray a prayer like that, you are reminding the devil that he has no place in your life. You are choosing to embrace the plans God has for you and you are speaking and living it into existence.<br /><br />I am looking forward to worshipping together <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_758878017" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. Don’t forget to change your clocks <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_758878018" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> night before you go to bed. If you don’t remember, then I will see you an hour earlier. As a matter of fact, you can join the staff and me for prayer if you forget to set your clock. So forget there is a change this weekend. Now in the Spring that is a different story…<br /><br />May you live a life that reflects the holiness of God today.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-70598418324868977522016-10-26T15:42:00.004-04:002016-10-26T15:42:36.764-04:00Which Plan Are You Following? (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Which Plan Are You Following? (Part 2)</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />John 10 is filled with the words of Jesus as He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He says that His sheep know Him and can recognize His voice. The sheep follow Him and they will never perish. It is a beautiful depiction of the kind of relationship we have with Jesus as His followers. After describing Himself as the gate for the sheep where He only allows the sheep to enter, He strategically puts in verse 10. We started to look at this verse last week. I want to continue to saturate on the meaning of this verse.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” </em></span>John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_212573088" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:10</span></span>.<br /><br />According to Jesus, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy everything good in our life. He wants to destroy our family, our job, our joy, our health, our finances, our marriage, our kids, and so on. He just wants to ruin anything he can.<br /><br />The word “thief” comes from the Greek word <em>klepto</em>, which means to steal. It describes someone who is so good at what he does that you don’t realize that he has done it. It depicts a pickpocket who can slip their hand in your pocket, take what they want, and be long gone before you discover they were even there.<br /><br />Jesus uses this word to let us know how cunning the devil really is. He knows that if he does it in plain sight that he will be recognized for who he is. His plans are always deceptive and his goal is always evil. He injects thoughts into a person’s mind to steal his peace, his joy, and even his beliefs. He steals everything he is not capable of receiving or giving himself. His name is where we get the word kleptomaniac. It describes a person with a persistent, neurotic impulse to steal. It is the very nature of the devil and he is only living up to his nature.<br /><br />Not only does the thief come to steal but he comes to kill. At first glance, you would think that it means to physically take someone’s life. The Greek word for kill is <em>thuo</em> which means sacrifice. To take it further, it could mean to sacrifice, to surrender, or even to give something up that is dear to your heart. Jesus is saying that if the thief hasn’t already walked away with everything we hold close to our heart, he will try to convince us that we need to sacrifice or give up everything he wasn’t able to take from us.<br /><br />The devil can’t stand the fact that you possess something he can never have. So if he can’t steal it from you, he will try to convince you to give it up on your own. He may even try to create stressful situations that cause you to conclude that your only solution is to sacrifice some things that are for you.<br /><br />Finally, the devil wants to destroy, which carries the idea of something that is ruined, wasted, or trashed. So, if the thief is unsuccessful in his attempts to steal from you or convince you to sacrifice what you hold dear, he will then try to ruin it!<br /><br />So the enemy is trying to totally obliterate you and he will not stop until he does. But don’t lose hope, Jesus has won the war. Commit the battles you face to Him and He will put the devil in his place. Don’t lose heart. Trust in God and spend time saturating in His Word so you can be more alert in the spiritual realm. God is more than able to defeat the devil’s schemes in your life.<br /><br />This Sunday we will be finishing up our series in Daniel by answering the question, “Are we in the last days?” Come and worship the Lord and bring someone with you the Lord lays on your heart.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-89307134121432807232016-10-19T13:44:00.000-04:002016-10-20T13:45:01.723-04:00Which Plan Are You Following?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Which Plan Are You Following?</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />John 10 is filled with the words of Jesus as He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He says that His sheep know Him and can recognize His voice. The sheep follow Him and they will never perish. It is a beautiful depiction of the kind of relationship we have with Jesus as His followers. After describing Himself as the gate for the sheep where He only allows the sheep to enter, He strategically puts in verse 10. That is what I want to focus on for the next few weeks.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” </em></span>John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_212572892" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:10</span></span>.<br /><br />This is a familiar verse that is quoted by many. But does everyone completely understand it? What I see is that God has a plan for each of us to be completely in sync with His purpose for our lives. The enemy of our souls, referred to as a thief, has another plan he wants to unfold to us. The thief does not reveal the price that is paid when we choose his plan. Jesus exposes the true nature of the thief. When following the plans of the world we experience fatigue, hopelessness, fruitlessness, depression, and the list goes on and on. The price we have to pay for temporary fulfillment has lingering results that last a lifetime.<br /><br />Some translations say, “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” How do you gauge an “abundant life”? Do you measure abundance in terms of spirituality, finances, health, relationships, or your place of employment? How many of these areas do you think Jesus was referring to when He spoke of living life “more abundantly”?<br /><br />I would have to say that God will never invest in things that can be destroyed by moth or rust. If your list of abundance includes material things, then I think you have the wrong list. As a matter of fact, the thief has done a work in your life if those things have made it on your list. We will look at that aspect next week.<br /><br />The phrase, “that they may have” are from the Greek tense that means, “To have and to continually possess.” The word for “life” is the Greek word, “zoe.” It suggests a life that is filled with vitality. The word “abundantly” is from the Greek word, “periossos,” and it means to be above, beyond what is regular, to be exceeding. So it literally means super-abundance. Jesus is saying that He wants to give you life as we have never known it.<br /><br />Here is what Jesus is saying when He says that He wants to give you life more abundantly. “I have come that they might have, keep, and constantly retain a vitality, gusto, vigor, and zest for living that springs up from deep down inside. I came that they might embrace this matchless, incomparable, overflowing life to the greatest extent possible.” Can you feel the energy for living? It’s available for each one of us. Are you experience life more abundantly? If not, maybe the enemy of our soul has stolen that away from you without being detected. Our mundane life may be a direct result of being deceived. By exposing the three ways in which the enemy gets us to follow his plan, we will be able to take back lost ground and live the abundant life God plans for us. More to come next week.<br /><br />Tonight is the last night of revival with Stephen Manley. Come for supper at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_212572893" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:45 p.m.</span></span>and plan to stay for the service at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_212572894" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30</span></span>. Amy Ambrose will be here to minister to our children in the Power Plant. She is an energetic children’s pastor with many years of successful ministry. Preschool age children will also enjoy a special time during our revival service in their room next to the stage in the FLC. Bring the whole family and let God pour this abundance in each one as we seek Him with all our heart.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-46463428307505668412016-10-12T10:03:00.006-04:002016-10-12T10:03:58.103-04:00Unwritten Rules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Unwritten Rules</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica;" /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Everyone knows that in golf there are some unwritten rules that people abide by. They may not be legal, but it is all done in fun none the less. Now, if you play by these rules and brag about how low your score is, then it is not so fun.<br /><br />One of those unwritten rules is called a mulligan. A mulligan is when you miss-hit your first ball on the first tee and you get to do it over. Now there are some who take a mulligan randomly throughout the golf course. It is not a proper golf rule to begin with so how can we be so critical? My question is, “Where and when did the Mulligan begin in golf?” Well, that depends.<br /><br />The USGA, with supportive research by GriffGolf.com, found the Mulligan became rooted in the game’s lexicon sometime between the late 1920s and mid-1930s. During that period, Canadian-born amateur David Bernard Mulligan had established himself as a prominent member of clubs that included Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y.<br /><br />In the late 1920s, Mulligan had a regular club foursome, and once on the first tee, the story goes, his partners allowed him to hit a second ball after miss-hitting his drive. Mulligan complained that his hands were still numb after driving rough roads and a bumpy bridge.<br /><br />Mulligan joined Winged Foot Golf Club sometime between 1932 and 1933. A generation later, in July 1985, journalist Don Mackintosh interviewed Mulligan for a column, “Around the Sport Circuit.” Mulligan said: “I was so provoked with myself that, on impulse, I stooped over and put down another ball. The other three looked at me with considerable puzzlement, and one of them asked, ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m taking a correction shot,’ I replied.”<br /><br />His playing partner asked what he called that. “Thinking fast, I told him that I called it a ‘Mulligan.’ They laughed and let me play a second ball. After the match, which Mulligan and Spindler won by one point, there was considerable discussion in the clubhouse about that free shot.<br /><br />“It all worked out amicably enough, but after that it became an unwritten rule in our foursome that you could take an extra shot on the first tee if you weren’t satisfied with your original. Naturally, this was always referred to as ‘taking a Mulligan.’ From that beginning, I guess the practice spread, and the name with it.”<br /><br />We won’t mention the several other things you can do to get a better score. I personally know of several people who have lots of tricks up their sleeve. I learned from the best and you know who you are… It’s all in fun though. We all know we are not professional golfers in my circle of friends.<br /><br />The problem comes in when we transfer that to our walk with Jesus. How do you deal with mulligan Christianity? Our God is the God of second chances. That is called grace. But to play a mulligan with everything we do is another story.<br /><br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” </em></span>Matthew <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465172" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:13</span></span>.<br /><br />Putting in play a new set of rules to govern your walk with Christ is not the way to hunger and thirst after the Lord. Lowering the bar doesn’t do anyone any good. Let me encourage you to do whatever it takes to draw closer to God. You can be as full as you want to be. Some of you just need to get your “want to” in line with our Heavenly Father. To have a preferred future, you have to put some good habits in place in the present.<br /><br />Beginning this Sunday, we will be hosting Stephen Manley as our revival speaker. Revival services run through <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465173" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span>. Supper is being planned at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465174" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:45</span></span> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465175" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span> through <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465176" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> to make it easier for you to come. Children’s ministry will be available <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465177" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465178" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> evenings.<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465179" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span> and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465180" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>, ages four-year-old through sixth grade are in the “big service.” I have many childhood memories of being in the “big service.” Children hear more than you think they do.<br /><br />Make a choice today to be a part of the revival together. The specifics will be in the bulletin <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_422465181" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. You and your whole family will benefit from this opportunity to grow together.<br /><br />Now, go to Matthew 13:1-23, read the Parable of the Sower and make that your prayer as we lead up to revival this Sunday. Let’s pray for fertile ground so we can understand the Word of God, apply it, and put it into practice. I am looking forward to growing with you.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-21986183413725493752016-10-05T10:29:00.003-04:002016-10-05T10:29:27.077-04:00God is Great, God is Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>God is Great, God is Good</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />I have been pondering lately about the season changes. The leaves will soon begin to turn, the days are already getting shorter, the leaves will fall only to be picked up and disposed of. What a beautiful time of the year. There is another season upon us – the political season. That is not so nice. “He said, she said,” is flying from the left and right. The national debates are mudslinging, political jargon that makes a lot of people just turn it off. After the vice presidential debate last night, they talked with undecided, Ohio voters. They asked if the debate changed their mind. The majority of them were still indecisive. I thought it was revealing of our culture when one said, “I was with a certain candidate until they started talking about their faith. Then that made me mad.” What? It’s only when we bring our faith or God into the mix that we are able to see the issues for what they are.<br /><br />I like what the Reverend Sammy Rodriguez says, “Our hope is not in the donkey or in the elephant, but in the Lamb.” We need to look at our candidate choices through the lens of biblical authority. In order to Make America Great Again, we need to recognize that God is the only one who can do that. Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church, says, “I frequently hear people object, ‘But I don’t want to vote for the lesser of two evils.’ Well, until Jesus runs for office, all candidates are flawed, sin impacted, less-than-perfect human beings. The fact is in every political race, you are, in effect, choosing from the lesser of two evils.” So the fact remains, our hope does not abide in political parties. My hope is in God and His truths. We need to ask the God of wisdom to give us the mind of Christ and give us the ability to influence governmental integrity in our nation.<br /><br />We have been looking at Daniel <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387939621" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. This past <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387939622" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> Daniel interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4. He said, <span style="color: firebrick;"><em>“You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven (in other words, go insane). Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue”</em></span> Daniel 4:25-27.<br /><br />There you have it, when you recognize the Lord and live according to His Word, then prosperity, the peace of the soul and of a nation, will return. That is my desire and it is the desire of all those who seek the Name of the Lord.<br /><br />So, based on sound biblical wisdom, what candidate will reflect God more? Because you see, only God is Great and God is Good. We learned that at an early age before we ate of the food that His hand provided. If you have to, turn off the TV channel and turn on the channel of blessing by consulting the only One who sees all and knows all – the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.<br /><br />I am looking forward to a few things in the days ahead. I am excited to go with several people from our church to Columbus for a prayer rally with Franklin Graham. I am excited for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_387939623" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> as we continue in our series on the Book of Daniel. Now for more political commercials and advertisements – not so much!<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-12052793872686418962016-09-28T13:38:00.000-04:002016-09-29T13:38:39.429-04:00Total Devotion No Matter the Outcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Total Devotion No Matter the Outcome</strong></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br />I have a confession to make. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1097678427" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Sunday</span></span> during my message I wanted to read a verse concerning the Hebrews being forced to worship an image of gold instead of the One true God. I had it written in my notes but I put the wrong passage in. I repeated a verse I had read earlier in my sermon. So let me make those verses the focus of this devotional.<br /><br />Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are being forced to serve and worship the god of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar set up before the people. It was actually an image of himself. The king said that if they didn’t, then they would be thrown into a burning furnace. It has come down to a confrontation. Look with me at Daniel 3:16-18:<br /><span style="color: firebrick;"><em><strong><sup>16 </sup></strong>Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. <strong><sup>17 </sup></strong>If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. <strong><sup>18 </sup></strong>But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”</em></span><br /><br />They had complete confidence that God was in control, not the king. Here is where these three show their devotion to God. When they said, “Even if He does not deliver us, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Now <em>that</em> is total devotion. They trusted God enough to know that no matter how things ended up, God was going to do the right thing.<br /><br />How many times throughout the day do you think that things should have gone another way? How do you know that? What if God’s design was to let things work out differently? That is why it is so good to be in tune with what the Lord wants to do. Don’t let anything rob you of your time with the Lord. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will know His heart. The more time you spend with Jesus, the less of you will be in the way.<br /><br />May you spend today wanting more of God’s Will than your will. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into all Truth as you seek Him with all your heart.<br /><br />This Sunday is Grandparents Day at church. Bring your grandparents, your grandkids, your mom and dad and enjoy the day together. There will be a delicious meal following the second service. Come and celebrate how the Lord continues to work through ALL generations to bring glory to His name. That’s what I love about our church – we all work together to accomplish more than we could do by ourselves.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">www.findlayfirstnaz.org</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-16567323179357579202016-09-21T12:49:00.002-04:002016-09-21T12:50:53.394-04:00Intimacy with God - Part 3<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Intimacy with God - Part 3</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Psalm 15</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />We have been looking at the question, “Who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” The latter part of verse 5 says, “He who does these things will never be shaken.” The first “thing” the Psalmist writes is to walk blamelessly. In order to walk blamelessly, one would have to obey the commands of God in everything. The next qualification has to do with speech: Speaks truth from his heart. The word translated “truth” comes from a root meaning “to be firm, reliable, and trustworthy.” In other words, “He who speaks with one mouth,” “He whose words are straight,” or “He whose words are true.” When you mix in the heart, you are adding a whole lot of sincerity.<br /><br />The next qualification for entering the Temple has to do with not spreading malicious gossip or speaking ill of others. The next two deal with two synonymous terms, friend and neighbor. The Temple dweller does no harm or nothing bad to others. That would be implying those who may be considered enemies as well.<br /><br />David sets himself to remind his friends of certain key truths about God. He is sovereign over all (v. 4a). He is well aware of the wicked and what they are doing (v. 4b). He is not ambivalent about evil but has a perfect dislike for it and in due time will bring judgment on the wicked (vv. 5–6). On the other hand, the Lord loves righteousness and smiles upon those who practice it (v. 7).<br /><br />Such truths present us with a sharp dilemma. If the Lord indeed loves righteousness and hates evil, why does he allow evil to flourish and to trouble His people? David does not attempt a detailed answer. He wrote to affirm his faith, not to unravel the tangled thread of evil. But he does drop a hint for us: ‘The Lord tests the righteous’ (v. 5).<br /><br />When evil thrives, it gives the people of God the opportunity to show the stuff of which they are made; to show that they do not love and serve God only in fair weather but also in turbulent storms.<br /><br />Continue to read through Psalm 15 and ask the Lord to reveal new and ever-flowing truth to you as you learn to love others as Jesus does.<br /><br />Pray for the services <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_390722181" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> as we continue the series in Daniel.<br /><br />May you speak the truth from your heart today as you show a lost world the hope of Jesus.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754636158964800187.post-88839449226855313182016-09-14T12:45:00.000-04:002016-09-21T12:52:01.238-04:00Intimacy with God - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s1600/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YwSMz5hfBS7XXN28tW1_9fL6Ahn6Oh2bawNoQ0jJsNjtTtNRCbKhNCBgH7d2bpJEBRa6UO7SQdjCbxTOYPG8lD7U0SzkL0kOErDrBB7-BjPZoFKJVx1Qck2Q93KSUxcnOHq3crUqfeI/s320/FaithBuildersLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: green; font-family: "helvetica";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Intimacy with God - Part 2</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="color: green;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="color: green;"><strong>Psalm 15</strong></span><br /><br />Last week we began to look at the question, “Who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” The latter part of verse 5 says, “He who does these things will never be shaken.” The first “thing” the Psalmist writes is to walk blamelessly. In order to walk blamelessly, one would have to obey the commands of God in everything. The next qualification has to do with speech: Speaks truth from his heart. The word translated “truth” comes from a root meaning “to be firm, reliable, and trustworthy.” Many different languages would pen this phrase differently. Let me just list out the different ways this could be stated. “He who speaks with one mouth,” “He whose words are straight,” or “He whose words are true.” When you mix in the heart, you are adding a whole lot of sincerity.<br /><br />This brings a picture of someone who is intent on speaking the truth no matter what circumstance they find themselves in. It shows that there is no other option. No matter what the outcome, the one who speaks the truth from his heart will not have to wonder what he said to who because it will all be the same. It is this person who will live on God’s holy hill.<br /><br />Next week we will look at the third qualification. Are you living out these qualities that God sees through and through? Continue to read Psalm 15 and allow the Holy Spirit to plant seeds of truth as you go throughout your day.<br /><br />Last Sunday was a powerful service as we asked the Lord to protect the law enforcement in our community. What a tremendous opportunity to pray for people who are willing to sacrifice at any moment for the safety of their neighbors. Keep them in prayer and also remember to put your faith before your politics as we lead up to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_390722179" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">November 8</span></span>.<br /><br />I want to extend another invitation for those who want to be a part of the Front Row Ministries at the church. We meet every Wednesday morning at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_390722180" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30 a.m.</span></span> for one hour of prayer. If you are not able to physically be there and still want to be a part of this vital ministry of the church, then talk with me and I will tell you how you can participate.<br /><br />May you speak the truth from your heart today as you show a lost world the hope of Jesus.<br /><br />Joy in Jesus!<br /><br />Pastor Mike</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607395616769229399noreply@blogger.com0