FOTFD - March 2, 2008
March 2, 2008
This has been a roller coaster week. I went to bed two times this week very discouraged and beaten down by life. You know those days when nothing goes right, it feel like the world is against you, and you are just fighting Satan with everything you’ve got. That’s the kind of days I had. Each of those slammed me to my knees turning to God to ask for His help, to seek His guidance, and to request relief. But our God is good! Both times, on the very next day, He lifted me up by blessing me with fantastic days full of blessings and successes.
It continually blows me away to see and feel God’s love in my life. He never lets me fall far and always takes care of me. Why do those roller coaster weeks happen? I really don’t know. Perhaps it is God’s way of reminding me that I am not in control. Perhaps Satan is really pressing in on me with his attacks. Or maybe, I just had a bad day, made some poor choices, or was just in a funk that day. But I do know this: our God is an awesome God and His love is amazing. My joy comes from him and I can only try to thank him with my devotion and obedience.
Praise God whose love endures forever!
As always, I love to hear you feedback and comments. How has God lifted you from the dumps? Email me back with your stories or add you comments online below.
You may find the FOTFD online here.
Now join me as we “Focus on the First Day.”
God bless,
Mike
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You.
- You Are My King – Billy James Foote
Communion
It is easy, for me at least, to focus on the paid and suffering that Jesus experienced in his approach toward and death on the cross. That is usually my primary focus during communion. But remember, the purpose of death by crucifixion went beyond the paid. It was about shame and humiliation. The cross was the Roman billboard that said “don’t mess with us.” As we share the feast of remembrance, think not only about how Jesus suffered physically, but also that he was willing to endure the mental torture, shame, and humiliation to came with the trip to the cross; and that he did it for you.
Sermon
“Acclaim & Authority” (Bob Chisholm)
Matthew 11:1-19
March truly begins the season of spring. The weather improves, nature comes alive again, full of color. This year, March also is when Easter takes place. As we approach Easter in 2008, on Sunday mornings, we will also approach the “first” Easter Sunday. Bob Chisholm will be looking at “The Road to Grace,” the final week of Jesus as he approached the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. So join us this Sunday as we begin a look into the true core of our faith and share the “Final Days with Jesus.”
Go here for more about this new series.
Prayer Time
Moses continually reminded the Israelites that God was near, even though they could see cloud/pillar of fire with them as they traveled. It is good for us to also be reminded that God is always near, even though we can see him everywhere around us if we look for him. Consider that on Sunday during Prayertime when we approach our Father, who is always with us, in prayer. Do it alone, do it with you family, do it with others at church. God is always there calling us to him.
Sunday Night
“A New Spirit of Admission” (Bob Chisholm)
Matthew 5:3-4
On Sunday nights in March, we begin a new study of perhaps the most famous portion of Jesus’ most famous teachings, the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. Join us Sunday night as we begin a look at “A New Spirit,” a study of the Beatitudes like you’ve never experiences before. Experience the New Spirit that awaits you in “A New Spirit of Admission.”
Go here for more about this new series.
We are encouraged to be a family of believers that choose to come together each week in worship. Come this Sunday with a desire to not just come to church, but come to truly be the church.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Just what my wife and I needed to hear today! Thanks so much for being an instrument of God!