Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”

2 Chronicles 20:15,17 NKJV

Sometimes is it very easy to become discouraged by the ‘insurmountable’ odds that you may be facing. There may be a problem or trial that is looming on the horizon which looks impossible to overcome. And the storm may seem so great that you are afraid of the boat capsizing, leaving you for drowning…

Fear is a real thing that we all face in different ways and none of us have been completely immune to its presence. For each one of us has dealt with the fear of uncertainty at least once during their lifetime.

When I look back at my own life, the times that I have dealt with fear are the times that I have looked at the problem or trial as ‘my battle’ that I must overcome. It became an endless game of what I must do; or how I must use my resources; or how I must plan out my path. Everything became very personal and ‘the battle’ became mine to win or lose.

Yet this is not how God desires us to live through our problems or trials. In fact, I do not believe He wants us to take any battle too personal as Christians because our purpose and place has been already determined. Therefore nothing is truly ‘my battle’ because nothing in my life outside of sin is truly mine to begin with.

The chronicler shares with us a great story in this chapter of 2 Chronicles about King Jehoshaphat during the Moabite War. During this story a prophet comes forth and shares to the King how the battle is not his, but God’s. Then he continues a few verses later about how the king can be victorious even though the odds do not seem to be in favor of the Israelites.

Therefore I believe this story shares with us some very important lessons: (1) First, we must begin to give the battle to the Lord and rely on Him to help us overcome what seems like ‘insurmountable’ odds. (2) Second, we must position ourselves ready for victory by eliminating any sin through repentance so that we can be found holy in the eyes of the Lord. (3) Third, we must stand firm in the Word that God has given us so that we may not fall prey to the world’s schemes. (4) Finally, we must have confidence through faith that we will be victorious in the end because of God’s great love for us.

Jehoshaphat followed this course and eventually he was brought to victory by his faithfulness to God. What a valuable lesson for us as Christians on how we are to fight through the battles that we may be facing.

Moses shared a very similar message to the Israelites when they were preparing to cross the Red Sea:

“Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13 NIV

Brothers, I believe we must begin to live our lives this way if we have not already done so. We must begin to give over the battle to God because the Lord has promised to carry us through the fire. And nothing is too difficult for the Lord to overcome (Genesis 18:14). Therefore regardless of the odds, God can make each one of us victorious in the end.

This does not mean that we will never face difficulties because the world certainly hates those who follow in the path of the Lord (John 15:19). But what this means is that we only need to stand firm in the promises of God and know He is there, ready to take over the battle if we only let Him.

Therefore let us commit our lives to God and wait upon the Lord. He is ready, willing, and able to save each one of us. May we find this peace and this confidence through the problems and trials we all face during the upcoming week …



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

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

Greg – pray for that his wife Lonnie will be protected during her trip to Chicago and back

Tim – pray that the recent job interviews will result in a job that is His will

Vince – pray that his wife may be protected from the enemy and learn how she can better defend against his attacks

Brett S – pray for all men within Northshore which need healing

Dick – pray for my safety while down at the dock, pray that he will be able to work through any temptations over gluttony

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 and that it may be a success

Mark – pray for the birth of a healthy child, pray for protection of wife during the surgery, pray that Amara may be comforted and that she will adjust well, pray for this group that it will make a larger / deeper impact on men

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


Continued prayer needs

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

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 11th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in room C214 on the academy side of the church. (David Meier will be leading the meeting because I will not be in attendance)

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

Wednesday, June 25th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

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