Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“He has taken away the covering of Judah. In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest, and you saw that the breaches of the city of David were many. You collected the waters of the lower pool, and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to Him who did it, or see Him who planned it long ago.” Isaiah 22:8-11 ESV

I will be completely honest, for the past week I have been struggling through my Bible reading plan. It isn’t because I have not read the particular chapters I was to have read. Nor is it from my lack of journaling because almost every day I was writing something down after I read the Scriptures.

Instead, most of my struggle has been because I feel like I have been walking through a dry season. It was difficult to hear the voice of the Lord through the Scripture this past week. Distractions at times have got the best of me and I am sure all of you at times can relate…

Then came Friday night when I was with some Christian brothers and sisters. We shared some time in the Word, some time in prayer, and some time just talking and encouraging one another. At first it was simply something on my calendar to look forward to, but when I left I realized this visit was God ordained and was much more. It was as if someone flipped on a light switch and everything started to come together. This is a clear testimony to the power of small groups and how important Christian fellowship is in your daily walk with the Lord…

Yet there was something deeper to learn from this past week and God revealed it during my time in the Scripture on Saturday; because all of us try to do things our way and try to find God where we want to find Him. This was definitely my self-diagnosis the past week as I worked through a dry season in my devotions.

The prophet Isaiah realized this same diagnosis about the people of Israel when he wrote Isaiah chapter 22. He was sharing oracles against foreign nations about how the judgment of the Lord was upon them in the previous nine chapters when he stops and gives warning to the people of Jerusalem. Because the people of Israel were not relying on the Lord for their defense, instead they making provisions based upon their own resources. They were trying to go it alone and believe they could protect themselves without God. They were essentially looking toward God only where they wanted to find Him.

But during the midst of their pride they forgot Psalm 125:2 which said, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” Instead their focus became inward and they began to put their faith more in themselves, then in the Word of God. They were literally destroying households to build a wall against their enemy, uprooting families to defend something which God already promised to defend.

Matthew Henry, a 18th Century theologian, made mention there were seven things which God made before the world (meaning which He had in his eye when He made the world): the Garden of Eden, the law, the just ones, Israel, the throne of glory, Messiah the Prince, and Jerusalem. All of them were fashioned before the foundation of the world. Not one of them would God fail to protect or uphold. Regardless to this fact mankind because of its pride still believed the solution was within them.

Today this attitude still exists because all we have to do is look at our own country to see how we have attempted to fortify the wall. We have destroyed the family unit in defense of moral relativism (which today has shown its worth in broken homes across America). We have removed God as our supplier of strength and instead relied on the financial market as a source of provision (which today is being severely shaken). We have put our political leaders forth as people who can save us from disaster (which not one leader has ever done so).

Instead we should turn back to the Lord and give ourselves to Him. That is the correct answer. And the Apostle Paul made it clear where we should land when he wrote the Corinthians:

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

The Church finds itself in the midst of a very important question. What are we going to rely on as enemies gather or difficulties arise? Are we going to rely on our own strength? Or are we going to rely on the Lord?

My prayer is that we may stand firm in Him and let nothing move us from the one true foundation. For the work of the Lord will never be in vain. We all have been called to a worthy calling and each one of us who believes is part of the seven things Henry says was made before the foundation of the world—the just ones.

Therefore let us rely on the Lord to defend us, for we have already been defended by our Lord Jesus Christ.



Prayer requests

Tim D – pray that he will be able to find a new job

Greg – pray for the country, pray for families who are under attack by the enemy

Ernie – pray for recovery of his grandson from cancer surgery, pray for Sarah Palin that she will be strengthened by Him

Calvin – pray for starting a practice here in the state of Washington, pray for making the right decisions, pray for more God fearing men to lead this country

Richard – pray for continued strength

Paul – pray for the Northshore bookstore ministry, pray for guidance and discernment on things which may be coming their way

Tim W – pray for the country during difficult times

Vince – pray for continued health, pray that God will help him with medical insurance

Mark – pray for this group that it will continue to impact people for Him, pray for Bill and his recovery from the surgery he had last week, pray that I may be a better parent and lead them to God, pray for strength in following the Lord

***Pray as Northshore begins new ministries this fall to help encourage others grow in their relationship with God


Continued prayer needs

Steve – pray that this group will grow to affect others and make a larger impact on the church

Bill M – pray that all of us here in the Church will be able to witness effectively, pray that his surgery will go well tomorrow, pray for his wife will be given peace and comfort during this time

Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school this week so they may learn and become better students

Kevin – pray for his youngest daughter and her boyfriend that they make smart choices, pray for exwife

David – pray that he will be able to serve in the children’s ministry and make a difference in the lives of kids

Ralph – pray that he will be able to surrender to God in everything

Larry Miller – pray that the marriage ministry will make an impact on the couples who attend Northshore

Ramon – pray that God will continue to give him strength

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

Gary – pray for strength as he works through all the various stresses of life, pray for the health of his wife

Sky – pray for some financial help and that he can help make some additional income for the family

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in joining with others in fellowship, pray God will comfort him during times of loneliness

Joe – pray for all the military members who are in harms way for their safety and quick return

Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church

Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry

Brett S – pray for healing of liver disease

Dick – pray for gluttony issues, pray for strength to deny self by helping him submit to the Lord

Carmine – pray that he can deal with the stresses of work

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

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

**** Wednesday, October 8th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church

Wednesday, October 15th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, October 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, November 6th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

I want to thank Tim Dresler for leading the group while I am leading CTL. Therefore we are able to meet every Wednesday night to go further in our study of the Word, fellowship with one another, and prayer… Join us when you can!!

In the coming weeks we are going to lay out the topics a little more in advance. Both Tim and I agree that we need to stay far enough ahead to give all of us the opportunity to dig deep into the word so that all of us may be transformed…

Always know that I stand beside all of you 24/7 as we continue on this journey together…

Please keep October 9th open for the Prayer Connect event which is taking place at Northshore. I will not be able to make it because of a family commitment, but I believe it will be a great opportunity for all of us to come together and pray for the Church.


Memory Verse

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV