Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

“I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 18:1-3 NIV

We are on the front lines of the battle. The enemy is trying to do all he can to stop each one of us from advancing the message of hope in a world that is full of darkness.

In fact, Peter warned us almost two thousand years ago that we are to be self-controlled and alert because the enemy is prowling around like a lion, seeking someone that he may be able to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Two thousand years later, the enemy’s scheme has not changed and he continues to devour the sheep that have wondered from the shepherds pasture.

When I consider how a lion seeks out his prey, there is no question that I see Satan at work in the world today. Today the world promotes individualism, go-it-alone attitude which only separates people from the flock. In fact, one only has to consider “The Army of One” recruiting slogan a couple of years ago for the U.S. Army to understand the prevailing attitude in America right now. It is all about the individual in America today, which I do not believe is coincidental because the enemy is alive and working…

Instead I believe we need to look at where we are to find refuge as Christians, so that we may be able to withstand the enemy’s schemes. This place is not one of solitude, not one of shifting sands, or not a place of darkness. Instead the place of all sanctuary exists within the source of all strength—our Lord, our God, our Adonai.

Therefore I find myself within the grip of Psalm 18 this morning because it is a clear reference to where we can find rest as Christians. For King David withstood many enemies during his time, yet he understood the source of all strength comes from God; because God is one of constant strength and never changes regardless of the ‘tide of culture’. The world may change and drift from the path of righteousness, but God is the rock upon where we stand as Christians.

Moses understood this as well when he spoke to the people of Israel about the judgment of God:

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV

Within this statement we can find the perfection of God’s hand. The enemy can never deceive us when we find ourselves upon this rock. Even when times look difficult, when we are upon the rock of the Lord, His work is perfect and we can know that we are well protected…

Yet, finding ourselves upon this rock is sometimes rather difficult. I would be very naïve to think that I can write a message about the source of strength as a Christian and believe that we can now all go about our day in peace; because finding ourselves upon this rock everyday is sometimes a very difficult task. I struggle with it everyday (not as much as I used to when I was outside of the shepherds pasture). King David struggled with it as well throughout the Old Testament. So do not feel inadequate as a Christian if you cannot maintain yourself upon the rock.

But this is why I believe our time on Wednesday evenings as a fellowship of men is so important. Here we can come together in order to encourage one another to get back on that rock. Here we can focus on the Word together which is the source of all strength. Here we can demonstrate the love God has always desired us to demonstrate to one another…

So let us focus our attention of the rock and go to the Word of God for strength. May we dive deep into its meaning and fill our hearts with hope so that we may carry the message of truth forward into a world full of darkness…


Prayer requests

Carmine – pray that he can find ways to lower his blood pressure which was very high recently

Kevin – pray for continued relationship with God based upon his will

Paul – pray that he will be able to find some work

Steve S – pray that he can sometimes find the words to communicate what he is wants to communicate

Greg – pray for the numerous people who are suffering right now will illness

Tim – pray that we all will be able to pray for one another with more earnest, pray that he can eventually know the best time to get another job

Vince – pray that Kevin will be able to find peace during these troubling times

Dick – pray that he will be more obedient to the Lord daily as he continues to walk in faith

Ernie – pray for his wife who is having some pancreas problems and needs healing, pray for Al, Tim W, and Tim N as they all recover from heart surgeries

David – pray for continued strength in the Lord

Kelcy – pray for the car ministry here at Northshore and a sunny day for Father’s Day, pray for Al, Tim W, and Tim N as they all recover from heart surgeries

Mark – pray for financial discernment as we continue to adjust to our financial situation, pray that this group can continue to walk in the will of the Lord, pray that we can all find ourselves upon the ‘rock of the Lord’, pray for peace this week for my wife

***Pray as Northshore begins a new chapter in its ministry to people who desperately needs to hear the gospel message


Continued prayer needs

Ramon – pray that Tina can have some healing in her health troubles and can change her diet and exercise routine

Gary – pray for sister-in-law who has serious infection in organs, pray for wife Terry who may have to have surgery here in the near future to take care of a serious health issue

Monte – praise God for a new job that he has been blessed with

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

Vince – pray that his wife may do well in an upcoming job interview, pray that she may become encouraged by some recent blessings, pray for Vince and her that they may hear the Lord

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in his Bible reading, pray that all pain will be removed someday from his body

Bret – pray for rest, pray for a the right relationship with a girl he recently met

Larry – pray for financial security as he works on building a new house near Arlington

Brett S – pray for a small girl in his wife’s class which had a heart transplant

Jeff – pray for more quality time with children and family

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

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, June 4th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church

Wednesday, June 11th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church (will probably be led by someone else because I will not be in attendance)

Wednesday, June 18th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church


Upcoming Event

Message from Mike Toben:

If you were in church this weekend you saw a preview of “Lord Save Us from Your Followers.” On Sunday June 8th at 6pm Northshore will host a special advance screening of this movie one week before its theatrical debut. After the screening there will be discussion with the film’s director and star, Dan Merchant. This movie makes for some very interesting discussion. It should be a great night to do something different together as a group.

Form more on the film, check out this Today Show clip: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24047551#24047551

Also check out the web site: http://lordsaveusthemovie.com/


Memory Verse

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 KJV