What A Friend We Have in Jesus

In our current series on Sundays, we are being challenged to change some things—mostly us! How are you doing with your daily discipline? How is the Lord changing you in the midst of your circumstances? What a blessing to have such an open opportunity to reach out to the God who made us and have the Creator of the universe touch our hearts.

 

In an issue of Fast Company, the business magazine noted that American companies spend $70 billion per year on consulting.  Another source noted that AT&T alone spends $1 billion annually for such services.  Numbers of that magnitude seem baffling, but they represent the priority of corporations to acquire the best guidance and direction.  Prayer is a type of consultation that comes not from a fallible individual, but from the Creator and Sustainer of life.  Through prayer we receive perfect guidance and direction, it doesn’t cost anything, and God is always available.

 

Remember this Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer. Throughout the day we are encouraged to pray for our country and her leaders; to pray for the upcoming elections; to pray for the leaders in God’s church and to pray for the Lord’s hand of protection. God reminds us that if we will humble ourselves and pray, He will hear us and heal our land.  

 

May you be in constant connection this week with the God who loves to hear your voice. My plan this week is to follow the pattern of the psalmist in Psalm 116, where he said, “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 NIV

 

Have a God-filled week as you keep your eyes turned toward heaven.

 

Your friend,

Mike

 

 

To Change or Not to Change?

Do you ever find yourself resisting change? I never thought I would struggle with this, but I must admit, change becomes harder the older I get. I say, “I can’t believe that is accepted today!” Or, “It just seems like life used to be so much simpler.”

 

In this sermon series we find ourselves in at the time, we are being challenged to change. Change our disciplines; change our thought process; change our outlook on life.

 

Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, says, “To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ…"

How has your week started off? If we will give up a little piece of our time, the Lord will bless our time with Him.

As we continue in this series of lessons on Sundays, could I ask you to think about the one thing that needs changed in your life that might set you free from the past and give you a look to the future? Have a great day in the Lord!

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rejoicing With One Another

Lawrence told his family that all he wanted for Father’s Day was a membership to an upscale gym so he could lose weight.  Barb and the kids agreed to his request and let him sign up for six months.  While Lawrence was gone to buy his membership, their teenage son asked, “So, how much do you think he’ll lose?”  Barb quickly replied, “About $500.”

 

We have all lost things from time to time, but rarely are we called to face the trial of losing practically everything. This past weekend was a great opportunity for our church family to assist a couple in the Kingdom who had experienced a tremendous loss. You know the Bible says we are a body, with all sorts of different working parts, and God has arranged all the parts just like he wanted them. It says in 1 Corinthians 12…”If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV

 

This past Sunday we suffered with the family who had nearly all their possessions stolen from them as they were in the process of moving back to the Newburgh area. But, the church stepped up and rejoices with them as thousands of dollars were given in a love offering to help this young couple get back on their feet.

 

You know, Jesus saw that we were in the process of losing more than our possessions—but our very souls, and we can rejoice with one another and our Savior over the fact that he became the offering that sets our feet on Solid Footing.

 

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

 

Mike

 

 

Reaching Across the Lines

We are all very aware of Jesus’ words from Matthew 7…”So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

This past Sunday, we were able to see how that was going to work. If you were able to be here to worship with us, you know we invited a guest to come and help us illustrate how important it is for the church to reach out to people.

Tina did a great job of wandering around the corridors of the church building before and after each service yesterday. She was the person no one knew, and she was dressed a little different than some of us.

I am excited to share with you some of her comments. She said, “This is the friendliest church I have ever been in. People came up to me and started talking, and seeing I was alone, they even invited me to sit with them in worship.”

That is a win for the Kingdom and a reflection of the way many of you are reaching out to others. Tina also told me she had been looking for a church family and she intends to join us again to honor the Lord in worship. I don’t know how this story will end, but I do know you are the ones who opened the door for a lady named Tina.

I want to thank you for your kindness and I encourage all of us to keep our eyes open to the opportunities our Lord will provide. Have a great week and keep up the great work on behalf of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Mike