Chewed and Digested

Chewed and Digested

Easter Sunday was a powerful day. Both services were filled with the Spirit of God. What a beautiful day to worship the Lord together. Following the service I was thinking, “What would it take for people who are seeking the Lord this Easter, to continue to seek Him each and every week?” My conclusion was the same for those who are in a thriving relationship with Jesus. It takes a hunger for more of the presence of God. Too many times the enemy steps in on the most sincere intentions and plants the seed of restlessness, causing people to seek fulfillment in other things besides God.

Look with me what the Psalmist writes:

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”        Psalm 119:9-16

From what I see, the Psalmist is putting emphasis on treasuring up the word of God. In order to treasure it I must decide to spend not only quality time in the Word, but I must spend quantity time in the Word. I am to read it each day and let it become a part of my routine as I do putting on my clothes.

An emphasis is placed on declaring it to others. As I share the Word with others, it becomes a part of my whole day and God uses His Word to impact others for the sake of Christ.

An emphasis is also placed on meditating on the Word. As I meditate and memorize, the Scripture becomes alive in my thought life. During the day I am reminded of the fingerprint of God and can see His activity in every thought and relationship. It begins to help me to truly take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Then I see an emphasis on delighting in the Word of God. It is good to read it each day, meditate and memorize it, declare it to others, and make it the compass of your life. It is even better to do all of those things and sprinkle in delight because the things that bring us the greatest pleasure are the things we place as a priority. God designed us that way.

Look at what Francis Bacon, a seventeenth-century English philosopher, said about reading in general: “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed and digested.” So what he was saying is, “Some books are to be read on in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.” The Bible belongs to the last group.

So I am not talking about chewing and digesting your lunch today. I am talking about living a lifestyle of chewing and digesting the Word of God. Setting up your day to be completely nourished in God’s Living Word.

On Monday, our church will have a team travel to our sister church in Marose, Haiti. Pray for the team of 24 people who will be traveling and seeking God with their whole heart. We will be building a three-classroom school building, helping the people with learning how to birth healthy babies, minor medical procedures, and continuing to proclaim the name of the Lord. Pray for safety and God moments as we see what Jesus wants to accomplish in and through this trip.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

www.findlayfirstnaz.org

Holy Week

Holy Week

Luke 19-24

The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. We refer to it as Holy Week. The four Gospels mention the events that took place during Jesus’ walk to the Cross. I encourage you to go to Luke 19 and read through chapter 24. On Sundays we have been looking at different segments of Jesus we have titled, “Defining Moments.” Have you experienced any defining moments lately?

On Thursday we will be gathering in 20-minute segments (5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.), in our sanctuary to experience the last supper. I want to encourage all of our families to come and experience the Lord during this powerful time of reflection and worship. We will be entering into the upper room where the disciples had to grapple with who was going to betray Jesus. In that moment, each disciple began to wonder who it would be. Eventually it came around to stare each one of them in the face when they questioned if it was going to be themselves personally. What a powerful time of self examination. Bring your children with you and walk in the story of Jesus’ life being spilled out for each of us.

Then several of our families will gather on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for our Easter-rific time in the Family Life Center. It will be a “Heavenly” Breakfast, a “top secret” guest will visit, and we'll enjoy lots of games and activities.

Easter Sunday Worship will be a highlight as we come together to celebrate our Risen King. Jesus has conquered death and the grave. We will come and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our refuge, our Savior, our Lord, our ever present help in times of trouble. Come expecting a miracle of new life continuing to be evident in and through our church. The first service will be at 8:45 a.m. and the second will be at 10:45 a.m. Cardboard testimonies will be a highlight at the end of the services. Breakfast will be available at 9:45 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Plan to connect with others as you enjoy a wonderful meal together. Stay after the first service or come before the second service. Experience the resurrection power that only comes through knowing and loving Jesus.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

P.S. Want to learn more about our church and upcoming events? CLICK HERE

Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of the resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:10-14

Paul is not talking about a casual relationship with Jesus. He is wanting to know Christ completely, leaving no room for apathy.

The power displayed through Christ’s resurrection is available only through Christ. It is imparted at conversion when believers experience the power of a spiritual resurrection through repenting of their sin. They are given new life. There is a new spiritual energy present that begins at conversion. There is more available as we grow in Christ. The supply is unlimited for those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is desperately wanting to know Christ more and more in a life-shaping way.

We must remember that there is no resurrection without a death. Paul says, “Somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” He was not saying that he would die a physical death like Jesus did. We identify and are united with Christ’s death by dying to sin. The book of Romans is a parallel to this thought.

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:11-14

By consistently choosing death to sin and self, a conformity to Jesus’ death occurs. When that death occurs, we are a candidate for resurrection power. At that time we can press on toward the goal to win the prize God has in store for us. Are you pursuing that level of relationship with Christ? Have you and are you dying to sin and self?

I am excited for Sunday. We will be baptizing believers in Christ. It is going to be an exciting day of worship. The following Sunday will be Easter. At the end of the service we will be having cardboard testimonies. The Spirit of God has been moving in our midst. If you would like to participate in the cardboard testimonies, call me at the church office. I am getting so blessed just thinking about all the life transformation taking place all around us.

May God be praised in your life today as you celebrate a resurrection season due to a season of death.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

Walking in Your New Identity

Walking in Your New Identity

Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus to not live like they used to live. They must have somehow stopped being sensitive to the Holy Spirit because in Ephesians 4:18-19 Paul says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” They let their guard down and gave the devil a foothold. Have you ever stepped back and asked, “Where did that come from?” This was one of those times for the people of Ephesus.

If we do not intentionally “put off the old self and take up the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24), then the devil had full reign to entice you to step up and support your old ways that prevailed before you settled the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life. That would be like coming in from a long hot day of working in the yard, taking a nice shower, smelling like a million bucks, only to put your old clothes back on. Before you know it, the stench begins to permeate your skin again. Doesn’t sound too good does it?

We are to do as James says in James 1:21-22, “… Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” When you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you planted the Word of God in your heart. You live by a new set of rules. God wants to come spilling out of you wherever you are and whatever you do. Keep feeding your soul by going to the Word of God daily. This is God’s will for your life. Live to please the Lord and don’t let anything get in your way.

On Sunday, April 13, we will have a Baptism in our morning services. Take another obedient step and follow Jesus to your believer’s baptism if you know Jesus and have not been baptized. Allow the Spirit of God to continue to make you new each and every day. This next obedient step is just what you need to do to “put off the old self and put on the new self” being refreshed through His Word.

Take time today to fill your mind with the Words of God. Let Him fill you with perfect peace.

This Sunday we will be voting on leaders for this new church year starting in May. Be praying for wisdom and direction. I am looking forward to a great day in the Lord this Sunday.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

"Untwisted"

“Untwisted”

Wasn’t it amazing to see Lee Burgard at church on Sunday? I don’t want to miss a Sunday because of the great things I am seeing all around. The Lord has been moving in our services and our discipleship classes. Many new faces are becoming a regular part of our family. The nursery is exploding with several new babies. We are so blessed with many talented and gifted people. Each Sunday there are several people who minister in many different capacities. As we are worshipping in the sanctuary, there are several teachers for adults, children, and infants. We are so grateful for God’s blessing and sending us humble servants who give of their time sacrificially. For instance, I thank the Lord for Sharon Dawson and her artistic ability. She made a huge crown of thorns that is hanging off of the cross at the front of the sanctuary. There is so much symbolism in the crown of thorns made for Jesus to wear on His way to the cross. Let me explain.

The soldiers took vines loaded with sharp, dangerous thorns; then they carefully wove together those razor-sharp, prickly, jagged vines until they formed a tightly woven, dangerous circle resembling a crown. This ended up being the crown that the soldiers violently shoved down upon Jesus’ head on the way to the cross found in Matthew 27:29.

The word used for “twisted” or “entangled” when it talks about how the crown of thorns was made describes something that has been woven together. That is the same Greek word used in 2 Timothy 2:4. It says, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” In verse 3, Paul invites Timothy to join him in his sufferings, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. He is essentially saying that as committed Christians, we don’t have the privilege of getting too involved or intertwined with matters that are of this world and have no bearing on things in light of eternity.

That same Greek word, empleko, was used to describe a runner whose garments become tangled in his legs. The runner was running a good race at one time, but then got entangled in his floppy garments. They eventually impaired his ability to run at a pace to win the race.

So in a sense, no one who is a soldier of Christ allows himself to get twisted in the affairs of life. It reminds me of Paul’s message to Galatia when he said, “You were running a good race, who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7

As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to do everything we can to keep the temporal things of this world in the right perspective. Keep them in your hands but out of your heart. The next time you are sitting in the sanctuary preparing your heart for worship, and you see the crown of thorns, ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas of your life that need to be “untwisted” and brought back into balance. There is nothing in this world worth being entangled and ensnared over – nothing!

This Sunday we will be bringing in new members and continuing our series, “Defining Moments On the Way to the Cross.” Invite someone to come with you. You never know, it may shed light on an area that may need to be untwisted and make an eternal difference for Christ.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

God's Peace, Our Referee

God’s Peace, Our Referee

I told someone that I am going to call my devotional from here on out, “The Life and Times of FFCN People.” It seems that we have had a lot of unexpected events in the church this past year. It has been a mixture of good and bad. One minute we are celebrating babies being born, the next we are shocked of someone being diagnosed with cancer; from leaking roof problems to marriages being renewed; from other babies being born to heart attacks; from tile breaking down below the parking lot causing water issues to miracles before our eyes. Just recently Lee Burgard was diagnosed with a tumor in his brain, and the doctors found malignant tumors in Lorna Morse’s jaw. Lee is doing well after surgery and Lorna was able to go home last night. With everything that happens, I can see the hand of God moving in a powerful way. Each person, no matter the severity, has a special grace line directly from God because we read in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10,

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

As the pastor of our church, my prayer is that we will deepen our walk with Jesus with each announcement and prayer request. Rather than throw in the towel and give way to the emotions that want to get the best of us, we are called to place the Word of God as our barometer and rule. When I say, “rule,” I’m talking about God’s supernatural peace dominating and governing every emotion and situation that confronts us. If we do not intentionally make the decision to believe what God says about things, then worry, fear, insecurity, doubt, and other emotions will be the order of the day. Then we can talk about a roller coaster ride that will leave you numb. Instead, let the peace of God rule in your heart and let it result in praise and thanksgiving.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3:15

The Greek word used for “rule” is called brabeuo. It describes an umpire or a referee. Now I know what it is to referee. I have refereed several Upward Basketball games over the years. That is just below the NCAA basketball tournament level. Okay, maybe I am stretching it a little. This means that when we have detrimental emotions weighing down on us and trying to dictate our outlook in life, we can make the choice to let God’s peace rise up from deep inside of us like a referee to moderate our emotions. As we do, we will be kept under the control of God’s divine peace He wants to place in our hearts. When this divine referee called “peace” steps into the game, it suddenly begins to call the shots and make all the decisions instead of anxiety and worry.

It is true; there are some weeks that are harder than others. But you don’t have to surrender to those emotions that try to steal your joy, mess with your relationships, or rob you of your victory. So when you feel overwhelmed by problems or a number of debilitating events that happen around you, intentionally set your heart and mind on Jesus and the Word of God. Let the peace of God call the shots in your life. Let the peace of God act as a referee in your everyday life.

Looking forward to see what God wants to do in our services on Sunday. He is preparing us for a great move of His Holy Spirit.

Thank you for all of the people who are praying and visiting the family of God. I am grateful for the encouragement and inspiration that comes from the body of Christ during each and every one of these situations. You truly turn challenging times into blessed times as you allow God to use you for His glory.

Joyfully serving the King of kings….

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike