“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the court of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”Psalm 84:1-12
Just a few days from the loss of Mindy Peterson in a tragic automobile accident, I think this Psalm sums up my thoughts and prayers for such a time we find ourselves in. Today there is a husband, 5 children, parents, sisters, extended family, and church family that is just numb over the loss of a dearly loved woman of God. I don’t know how anyone can go through this kind of a jolt in life without a relationship with the Lord, a close family, and the love of a church family to process with. It is during times like these that you really see how blessed you are to have the hand and protection of God surrounding your life.
I have been in a series of messages from Matthew called, “Lead Me to the Cross.” This Sunday I will be going in another direction as we look to the God of all comfort before we continue that series. It was just last Sunday that Mindy Peterson was on our praise team singing the song, “Because He Lives” by Matt Maher. She sang it like an angel. Little did we know that she would be singing directly in the presence of Jesus that afternoon. Andy and Mindy have been attending our church for less than a year. They had just recently decided to make Findlay First their church home. Mindy was beginning to sing on the praise team and was preparing to sing a special in July. She was also planning to lead the Vacation Bible Adventure music this summer. How quickly things can change.
In the past year as a church, we have seen 9 children lose their mother, a father taken without the opportunity to say goodbye, and other dearly loved brothers and sisters enter the gates of heaven. We don’t question where they are today. We just experience the pain of seeing wonderful, God fearing men and women depart at a young age. This Sunday we will be spending some time praying for the Lord to come and heal the hearts of many hurting people and opening our hearts up as a congregation for God to speak to us. Come this Sunday and plan to bring someone who may be experiencing a hard time through loss or news of an illness or life just spinning out of control.
On Sunday, June 28 we will be participating with several other churches in “Call 2 Fall.” It is where we call on the name of the Lord to intercede for our Nation and forgive us for turning our hearts from Him. With the Supreme Court voting on the definition of marriage and other things transpiring in our nation, it is time to come together and plead for God’s Will, forgiveness, and His holy presence. Leading up to that Sunday and the 4th of July, we will be reading Scripture and agreeing together in prayer. You can find the focus on our church website www.findlayfirstnaz.org. Please go to the website and get a copy of the different Scriptures and prayers you can meditate on in the days leading up to Independence Day as we show our dependence on God Almighty.
Here is the first day…
Scripture Focus:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,In humility we come seeking your face; asking for forgiveness for what we, as Christians have allowed to happen in our nation. Forgive us for sitting silently when we should have been standing boldly. Forgive us for removing prayer from our homes and our schools. Forgive us for allowing the culture to redefine marriage. Forgive us for not fighting more passionately for the unborn and the weakest among us. Because of your great mercy Lord, forgive us and heal our land. For your Glory! Amen
I am anticipating a great day on Sunday as we come and glorify the name of Jesus.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
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