Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“It is man’s fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.’ From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, ‘Save me; you are my god.’” Isaiah 44:15-17 NIV

No person, no culture, no religion, and even no church have been immune to the effects of idolatry. For throughout history man has always had the tendency to worship the creation more than worshiping the Creator. It is part of our sinful nature. Therefore it is present in almost every place throughout the known world.

The passage shared from the prophet Isaiah is a very relevant passage to all of us today. God has given each one of us who believe everything we need to live a life that is pleasing to God (2 Peter 1:3). Many blessings come in the form of everyday items necessary for living. Many blessings come in the form of people who are there to encourage and sustain us. And some blessings are gifts that have no human explanation because they are of the Holy Spirit…

Regardless, we must understand that every blessing from God is given to us for a reason—which is to glorify Him.

But many people (including myself at times) miss this in their lives and begin to elevate the blessing to a higher status then that of its maker. The object itself becomes the idol which is worshiped and then becomes the center of man’s affections.

For example the prophet Isaiah talks about the wood of cedar trees; how it is a gift of God given for warmth and food in order to bless them, then how it is misused and abused in order to become an idol used for worship. It is the same object, but the blessing is distorted by man.

We must realize the tendency is to look at idolatry as something which is created by man used specifically for the purpose of worship. This idea may stem from the story of Aaron and the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-8). But the reality is that idolatry can be anything which takes the place of God as our highest affection in life. We can idolize cars, houses, hobbies, sports, ect. and elevate them to our highest affection and then place God second.

The Apostle Paul speaks about this danger in the book of Romans when he said:

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:22-23 ESV

Brothers, we must realize how important this is in our lives. Idolatry can affect everything we do as Christians and derail us from the path of discipleship. When we consider our discussion last week on self-denial in our discipleship with the Lord, let us understand that idolatry runs counter to this aspect of our lives. Idolatry puts our interests first, and then places God second.

I know this is not an easy topic to discuss because I have fallen into this trap before. For idolatry can even show itself in places you would never expect like worship, church, discipleship, ect. This is because we will do certain things that we say are for the Lord; but actually do them with a heart that is aimed at elevating us, not Him.

Therefore let us pray that we will remove all things in our lives that take the place of His glory. Let us encourage one another to remain strong in the Word so that we may put God first in everything we do. And may we worship the Lord with a heart that thanks the maker, not a heart that elevates the blessing.

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God bless each one of you this coming week. I look forward to seeing you Wednesday at Northshore. Please be aware of a possible room change this week. We may be in one of the classrooms over in the academy side. Regardless, let us bring our burdens before Him together and let us worship the Lord!!!


Prayer requests

Bret – pray for his older estranged son who is getting married, pray that he will come with his fiancé to Bret’s birthday party on Wednesday, pray the whole family will be there this Wednesday

Tim – pray that the Lord will help guide his future and that he may provide a direction for His life

Craig – pray that he will be able to continue to seek God and find Him throughout his life

Steve S – pray that friend can find employment and strength during tough time, pray for friend’s newborn child

Mark – pray for a healthy child coming in June, pray for our finances, pray that I will be able to minister to others in their needs

Ramon – pray that he will have a blessed time with wife in Hawaii and a relaxing time

Gary – pray for sister-in-law who has serious infection in organs, pray for father-in-law who has lost two of his closest sisters in the past month, pray that he we hear the voice of the Lord and be strengthened, pray for wife Terry who is helping family cope and provide assistance

Carmine – pray that his cousin Benjamin will have a successful surgery and recovery

Greg – pray for all the people within the Church who is having trouble and need comfort

Ernie – pray that Joe may find Christ so that he can regather his life, pray that his daughter will be able to work with mortgage company in order to keep house

Kelcy – praise for mother who is doing very well after neck surgery earlier this year

David – pray that he will have a blessed trip to Wisconsin and a safe trip home, pray that the street ministry Al is leading will be a blessing to others who need to hear the voice of the Lord

Keith – pray that their youngest daughter will be able to do well in college, pray that Nate will be able to find a job

***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church


Continued prayer needs

Monte – pray for his employment situation and that he will find work soon, pray that he will find someone who can help him work on his car

Gary Cercone – pray that daughter Jennifer and grandson will receive continued blessings from the Lord

Norman – praise for the health of daughter in dealing with her seizures

Larry – pray for leadership in leading group of men with CTL, pray for making an impact within Northshore with married couples

Dick – pray for strength in new employment

Joe – pray that his condo may sell and that he may finally be settled here in Mukilteo

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

Wednesday, April 23rd, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, May 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, May 14th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church


Memory Verse

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV