I thought I would share a devotional I received yesterday in an email from Dr. Jerry Porter, one of six General Superintendent’s in the Church of the Nazarene. My prayer is that this will sharpen our awareness of the things the Lord wants us to be about today. It was good to dedicate three babies in church last Sunday. Let’s pray and seek the Lord this week as we prepare for an outpouring of God’s Spirit this Sunday as we gather together in Spirit and in Truth.24 Hours to Live!By Jerry D. Porter
Earlier this year I was hospitalized because of anemia brought on by medications that gave me stomach ulcers. I also suffered from a rapid heart rate (atrial fibrillation - AFIB). Recently when I was preparing a message for a funeral celebration, I was captured by two questions: What if I only had 24 hours to live? What if the Lord was coming back today?
As I ask myself those probing questions, my attitudes and actions are changing!
When someone is rude or irritating, I turn the other cheek and pray for him or her ... knowing that I might be standing before the Lord tomorrow!
When I think I am too busy to pray or study God’s Word, I affirm my total dependence on God, and I remember that an intimate conversation with Jesus is my number one priority.
When I have opportunity to be with my wife or family, I jump at the chance to spend quality time with my “inner circle” people.
When I walk through the airport, my heart is moved to compassion for each person, and I pray for these strangers. I am also not so quick to push to the front of the line to board the plane!
When temptation comes my way, the enemy’s sly deceit loses its luster in light of the realization that I could soon be standing before my Lord for my final accounting.
When I am with a pre-Christian friend, I feel the urgent need to share a word of hope in Christ with him or her, even at the risk of being embarrassed or rejected.
When I am with a hurting person, I immediately take a few minutes to pray for that one rather than simply promising to pray.
This simple question is changing me to live in the reality of maranatha: “Our Lord is coming soon.” I am discovering that my life priority is my relationship with God, my family, and my neighbors.
“Make it clear ... to all you meet that you’re on their side ... Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute” (Philippians 4:5, MSG).
“‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14–16, NIV).
What if I knew that I only had 24 hours to live?
“Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8, NIV). “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12, NIV) and live a no-regrets life, to the glory of God!
Jesus’ Prayer in John 17
This morning as we gathered to pray, I read Jesus’ prayer found in John 17. Take the time to look it up on your smart phone or your hard copy of the Written Word of God. I would like for us to saturate on these verses for the next few weeks as we look to the heart of Jesus.
Jesus came into a Jewish world that had developed a distant view of God, one that needed angels to carry messages. The people had ceased to use the name of God for fear of taking his name in vain, just like the Prodigal Son, who could speak of “heaven” but not use the name of God (Luke 15:18, 21). Into this context of speaking to God at a distance, Jesus came and called God his Father. What is more interesting is that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father” (Matt 6:9) in the Lord’s Prayer. For the Jews of that day such a personal view of God was very degrading of God and bordered blasphemy (John5:18). Yet in spite of his personal sense of the Father’s presence, Jesus modeled for his disciples how to honor and glorify God through consistent obedience to the will of the Father. In this chapter, we see the personal relationship Jesus has with God. There are only a few passages of Scripture that reveal the heart of Jesus like these 26 verses.
As you read, you will begin to see three sections in this prayer. The first deals with Jesus finishing His mission in a hostile world (vs. 1-8). The next section shows Jesus’ concern for the disciples’ well being and effectiveness (vs. 9-19). The last section looks to the future as Jesus prays for the ones who will receive and accept the gospel message (vs. 20-26). Within this prayer the verb form, “give,” is used 11 times; and the verb, “send,” is used seven times. This highlights the fact that Jesus wanted His mission continued in the context of a community that would believe and obey.
Take the time to saturate in this passage and for the next few weeks, we will unfold different aspects of Jesus’ prayer.
This Sunday is Baby Day. We celebrate our babies who are under two years old and offer our prayer support for the task of raising them up in the Lord. I will also be preaching on Heaven. So in essence, we will be looking at all of life, from the cradle to eternity. It is going to be a great Sunday to worship together.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
A Glimpse of Revival
When I look at the world in which we live, I can’t help but think of our need for a revival. I’m talking a time when the Holy Spirit comes down and shakes us up like what happened at Pentecost in Acts 2. I believe that one of Satan’s chief tactics is to play on people’s fears. Knowing that revival spells big trouble for him, Satan does everything he can to cause us to avoid it. “Revival? You mean where they do all that whooping and hollering? If that’s what you are talking about then don’t count me in. They’ll be picking up snakes next.” I know, I just read your mind. I have that ability you know – not!
Jesus said in John 8:44, while talking with some hard headed Jews, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” That was a great line from the Master Himself.
Some people, for whom being in control is very important, tremble at the thought of losing that control. The truth is that they’re really not that thrilled about being in a setting where there’s an overwhelming sense of the presence of the Lord. The possibility of exposure of hidden sins is perceived as a huge threat. They certainly don’t want anyone messing around in their past – including God. If God wants to deal with an issue, by all means He can do it at home when no one else is around. Again, this is listening to the father of lies who is good at what he does. Now let me pour a little Scripture on the matter.
Psalm 1 is a well-loved Hebrew poem. It is a word picture of personal revival. As you look at it you can’t help but picture a great fruit-bearing tree planted by streams of water. But a closer look reveals this tree to be a picture of living in the Lord’s presence as He watches over the way of the righteous. Nothing to be afraid of here. It’s actually quite drawing.
Now let’s move to another portion of Scripture found in Psalm 42:4.It says, “These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.” This time we’re looking at a delightful celebration. People are praising God on their way to the house of God. Can you hear the shouts of joy on the lips of grateful worshippers? As you look closer you will see that it is another revival picture. The writer is recalling an earlier experience back in Jerusalem, and he wants the opportunity to relive it. Instead of being frightened, he is intrigued and pulled in.
There are more places like this in Scripture. It’s so freeing to be able to visit the Word of God and set the record straight about revival. Let me challenge you to search the Bible for more encounters with a revival from upon high.
This Sunday we will be looking at what Pentecost is all about. I look forward to seeing God move on this church and every relationship inside and outside of our walls as a direct result of the Spirit filling power of God.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
National Day of Prayer
On Thursday, May 5, people will be praying all across this Nation. It was started in 1952, although there were days of fasting and prayer observed many years prior to making it an official day on the calendar. Everyone is asked to turn to God in prayer and meditation. This morning in our prayer time at the church, I read 2 Chronicles 7:14 where the Lord says, “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 will I hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” What a rich promise directly from the lips of God.
I want to include a prayer from the 2016 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, Dr. Tony Evans. It is powerful and to the point.
Dear heavenly Father, we come to You today as a humble people desperate for Your supernatural intervention on behalf of our beloved nation. First, we thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed on our land; blessings that have allowed us to bring so much good and benefit to not only our own citizens but also to the rest of the world. The very ideals upon which this country was founded were based on biblical truths, no matter how some try to rewrite history to deny that very fact today.
This is why our hearts are so broken over how You continue to be marginalized and dismissed by both our people and our institutions. We are also saddened by the fact that Your people have contributed greatly to the spiritual apathy that now engulfs us. Our satisfaction in remaining religious without being fully committed to living out the truths of Your Word has caused us to become co-conspirators with the forces of evil that are destroying us as a society.
It is for this reason that we personally and collectively repent of our carnality and recommit ourselves to becoming visible and verbal disciples of Jesus Christ. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to no longer be secret agent Christians but rather to publicly declare and live out Your truth in a spirit of love so that You feel welcome in our country once again.
Thank You for Your promise to hear our prayers when we call to You with hearts of repentance and obedience, which is how we are appealing to You today, Father. On behalf of Your church, we affirm afresh the priority You are to us that You would fill every dimension of our lives as we seek to bring You glory through the advancement of Your kingdom in our personal lives, our family lives, and in the lives of our churches and our government leaders. We confidently invite heaven’s intervention into all the affairs of our nation and we praise You in advance for Your answer.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
There will be a time of prayer in downtown Findlay at Dorney Plaza on Thursday at noon. Plan to attend this time with your community. More info is available at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.
Tonight at Boost we will be exploring the book, “When God’s People Pray” from Jim Cymbala. Jim is the pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York. He will share how prayer has turned his tiny, struggling inner-city church into a vital, thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith. Come and be encouraged to pray more and believe that God wants to do above and beyond your prayers. It will be a powerful time of testimony and encouragement. Join us in room 204 (office hallway) at 6:45 p.m.
Remember that Sunday will be Mother’s Day. We have a special gift for every mother who attends church on Sunday. It’s going to be a great day of worship together.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
Prayer – The Heartbeat of the Church
I have really enjoyed going through Paul’s letter to the church of Galatia on Sundaymornings. His letter is so rich and helps us where we are today as a church. This SundayI want to share a prayer that I pray for our people found in Ephesians 1. It will show the progression that we all need to be in as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
As I look around at churches that are making a global impact, I can’t help but see the church found in Brooklyn, New York, called the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. The Pastor’s name is Jim Cymbala. He has written several books talking about the prayer ministry that has opened their church up for the Spirit of God to transform lives in their neighborhood. One of the books he has written is, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” The title alone is enough to get the book and read it. It shows the emphasis they place on prayer in their church. He says, “From this day on, the prayer meeting will be the barometer of our church. What happens on Tuesday night will be the gauge by which we will judge success or failure because that will be the measure by which God blesses us. If we call upon the Lord, He has promised in His Word to answer, to bring unsaved to Himself, to pour out His Spirit among us. If we don’t call upon the Lord, He has promised us nothing. No matter what I preach or what we claim to believe in our heads, the future will depend upon our times of prayer.”
Jim goes on to say, “Teaching is good only where there’s life to be channeled. If the listeners are in a spiritual coma, what we’re telling them may be fine and orthodox, but unfortunately, spiritual life cannot be taught. Pastors and churches have to get uncomfortable enough to say, ‘We are not New Testament Christians if we don’t have a prayer life.’”
I have noticed a climate change in our church ever since we started our Front Row Ministry on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. It does make a difference in the Spirit Realm when the church places it as a priority to call upon the name of the Lord. But I believe that we are only scratching the surface. We have often said that as we grow, we want to grow because the Spirit of God is drawing people and lives are being changed. Brooklyn Tabernacle Church has had a prayer ministry on Tuesday night for years. If you don’t show up early then you may not get in the building. That’s what you call, “Power in Prayer.” I am not recommending that we start a Tuesday night prayer meeting and try to duplicate what someone else is doing. I do, however, want to have a church that is passionate for prayer. When we fervently pray, we unleash the power of God. Whether you come on Wednesday morning from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. or pray during that time in your home or workplace, let’s humbly bow together and seek the heart of God for those who are lost, hurting, or discouraged. Pray for our families to thrive and be filled with the Spirit of God.
This Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. our Haiti team will be sharing about their experience in Haiti. We will also look at the possibility of returning next year to build another church.
I am looking forward to a powerful time of worship on Sunday. Ask God to help you to find a need and fill it, or a hurt and heal it today in Jesus’ Name.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
Sword Practice!
Have you ever been in a situation when you felt you needed a word from the Lord, but you didn’t know which word you needed? Have you ever ran to your Bible, open it up, then let your finger fall down on a verse hoping that it was exactly what you needed for that season? I’ve been there before and will probably try it again in desperation some day. Let me tell you though, it hasn’t worked for me – ever. Today I want to look at the Sword of the Spirit and help us to understand how God can help us effectively use this offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6.
Paul encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the Armor of God. This armor will help us when Satan attacks us from all sides. Ephesians 6 reminds us that this armor is very much needed because our real battle is being fought with an enemy that we cannot see. We see the results in the form of addictions, discouragement, pain, and heartache. The very last article of the armor of God mentioned is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The word translated “word” is not the Greek word logos, which would refer to the written word. Instead, Paul uses the Greek wordrhema. This is really powerful so get ready for the reason because it is going to open up new truth to you today.
Had Paul used the word logos in this verse, he would have implied a “sweeping stroke” against the enemy, and this would never do. You see, the word logos – although broad, heavy, wonderful, and full of general direction for our lives – is not sufficient to deal the enemy a fatal blow. Sometimes we need to stab the enemy, not just do a blanket sweeping stroke. By using the word rhema, Paul was referring to a specific, quickened word from the Scriptures, placed into our hearts and hands by the Holy Spirit. When this takes place we have real sword power to use against the enemy.
The Roman army was continually practicing the arts of warfare. They had a daily sword practice. They would practice with swords that were two times heavier than the ones they actually used in battle. This prepared them for when they would have a real encounter. Needless to say, they were ready because they were in shape and overly prepared.
When you go to passages like Luke 4:3-13 where Jesus encountered the enemy of our soul, you can see where these two Greek words for “word” come alive. The word that Jesus used to counteract the attack of the enemy was not three pages long. All that is needed to kill the enemy is sometimes a mere two-inch penetration. In this case, one very small rhema from the Lord had the power to do the adversary in. When Satan was on the attack, Jesus doesn’t just say, “Get out of here.” Instead, He stabs the devil repeatedly with direct blows! Jesus had a specific, quickened rhema from the Holy Spirit.
After the devil tempted Jesus with food, Jesus drew the sword that the Holy Spirit put in His hand (a rhema) and said, “…It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (v. 4). To this stabbing sword of the Spirit, the enemy had no response. Each temptation that was thrown at Jesus, His response was a word (rhema) from God. After the third temptation, the devil ran. He was no match for the Word of God. He had nothing to counter with. How powerful is that?
Just like Jesus, you are equipped with all the armor of God, and this includes the sword of the Spirit. As long as you do your sword drills in the morning, and get equipped, there is no battle that will be a real threat to you. As you are faithful in saturating in the Word of God, you are giving fuel to the Spirit of God who lives inside of you. The Holy Spirit is faithful and will place in your heart and hands the exact rhema you need to put the devil on the run.
What a great day we had this past Sunday. I always enjoy hearing the testimony of people as they are baptized. This Sunday we will be receiving people into membership of the church and honoring our Chinese graduates. I will be preaching from Galatians 6 and finishing our series on this great letter from Paul.
Join with me as we prepare to come and be inspired to new heights this Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
