Purpose for the Pain

I recall having a coach in high school whom I thought to be a certifiable maniac. It seemed that he inflicted pain upon us just for his personal enjoyment.

One day, while enduring a painful session, I just flat out refused to do any more.  The coach responded to my rebellion by asking a question.

“If your house was on fire and you needed to climb down from the second story window to escape, could you do it?  Would you have sufficient upper body strength?”

I knew the answer to that.  I was a fat, overweight slob whose favorite exercise was lifting a fork up to my mouth.  I then had an epiphany.  The coach was not some brain-damaged masochist.  He was, in fact, trying to save my life.  And so I came to realize that there was a purpose for the pain.

Just like a good coach looking out for his athletes, God will often direct us into situations where the pain may not make sense to our finite minds.  Pastor Lon Solomon pointed us to the pain that Esther suffered en route to becoming the most powerful woman in the then known world:

Now there was a Jew who lived in the palace complex in Susa. His name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish—a Benjaminite. His ancestors had been taken from Jerusalem with the exiles and carried off with King Jehoiachin of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon into exile. Mordecai had reared his cousin Hadassah, otherwise known as Esther, since she had no father or mother. The girl had a good figure and a beautiful face. After her parents died, Mordecai had adopted her.

Esther 2:5-7 [MSG]

Esther was a young girl whose mother and father had died as a result of some unmentioned circumstances.  To lose one’s parents is a traumatic thing.  Even more so for a young girl.  And, to add insult to injury, this young girl was sent to live with a middle-aged bachelor.  Perhaps this was the inspiration for the television series Family Affair? 

No... I didn’t think so either. 

Moving right along...

Esther probably didn’t know at the time that the death of her parents... followed by the paradigm shift of moving in with cousin Mordecai and turning his world upside down... would lead to her occupying the powerful position that ultimately would lead to her singlehandedly saving all of the Jewish people who resided in ancient Persia.

Nobody knows where their circumstances, which may be difficult if not downright painful, will lead them.  There was a young boy whose mother dragged him to a foreign country where he would be ridiculed and mistreated.  Later, his mother dumped the young boy on his grandparents’ doorstep and then went off thousands of miles away to live with her new husband and new baby daughter.  That had to be a painful experience.  Yet... it was part of what made Barack Obama the man he would become.  And who knew during those early years where he would wind up.

Many of you have heard Joyce Meyer’s story. Years of abuse by her father is difficult to imagine.  Yet, Joyce acknowledges that it was all a part of God’s plan to make her the internationally known evangelist that she is today.

The bottom line...

[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!

Romans 8:18 [AMP]

The Apostle Paul reminds us that whatever we suffer in this life is nothing compared with the joys of eternity in God’s kingdom. However, there is another perspective to consider.  God has good plans for us.  Consider Joseph in the Old Testament.  His brothers wanted to murder him... but as a compromise they sold him into slavery.  Joseph spent time as an innocent man in prison.  He was subjected to great indignities.  Yet, Joseph rose to become the second in command to the mightiest nation at that time, Egypt.  Joseph’s take on his path from the pit to the prison to the palace:

Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

Genesis 50:19-21 [MSG]

God is Soverign. God is also good. Although the plans He has for you may seem difficult to understand, they do have a good purpose. Many people shake their fists toward heaven and curse God.  They just don’t understand the promise that the prophet Jeremiah relayed from our Creator:

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11 [AMP]

Although the path may seem difficult, there is a purpose. And it is a good purpose. But it requires us to trust in God... to cooperate with God... to allow our faith in Him to be a constant.  Jesus is the ultimate example of this principle.

At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

Mark 1:12-13 [MSG]

Jesus left the comforts of friends of family.  He left the comforts of the city.  He went out into the wilderness where satan pounded Him relentlessly.  Yet, we all know that His pain was for our gain.
My good friend and mentor Pastor Mike Macintosh wrote the following, regarding the above scripture:

The Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the wilderness where He would be tempted in all areas of His life. The Book of Matthew gives us a fuller account of Jesus' temptation, and there we see that the devil was pounding Jesus. Do you ever feel that way? That the enemy is just pounding you? The pain hurts. But the good thing is this: the pain points us to Jesus Christ.

Stop and think about that; you don't really grow up until you've felt pain in your life. Our society tells us to hide the pain, to mask it. They tell us that using drugs or alcohol or having affairs will dull the pain, making us feel good. But all it does is drive us to an even greater, excruciating and senseless agony in our lives and in our marriages.

Maybe you have been thrust or driven into a situation. The natural human reaction in the flesh is to run away. But to be mature, many times we have to face the music and stay where we are. One of the great sins of our nation is the divorce rate. You can get a divorce for any reason you want these days; sort of like trading in an older car for a newer one. Well, a marriage isn't like a car! And we forget the vows we take are serious things. The devil wants to ruin your marriage. He will tempt you in every way to break up your family. There are times when God puts you into situations that don't always make you feel comfortable. Maybe it's with people who rub you the wrong way, or maybe it's a job that causes you stress. But God wants you to be in these situations to strengthen your faith and to rely on Him more.

The pain of obedience and patience will be rewarded to you. Pain reminds us that we are alive; people that are in the grave feel no pain. When things get hard and painful for you, just realize that God is using that to remind you that you are alive and that you are dependent on Him to get you through. Look to Jesus for your answers to life's pains, not the bottle or the pills. Look to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life to keep you from the enemy's lies. Go to the Father in prayer, asking Him for the supernatural strength to endure. Only then in your pain will you find true happiness and joy.

Judy Ann provides us with the following prayer based upon Psalm 42 & 43 and Psalm 4.  This may be a prayer you may wish to offer up to the Lord when you find yourself going through those painful periods of life.

As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for you, the living God. In the name of Jesus, I resist discouragement because I expect you to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise you for all that you will do. You are my help! You are my God! I place my trust in you, and I shall again praise you for your wondrous help; you make me smile again, for you are my God. Amen and Amen.

When I call, give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, You gave me room; now I'm in trouble again: grace me! Hear me! In my anger I will not sin; when I’m on my bed, I will search my heart and be silent. My trust is in You, Jehovah, my LORD. Let the light of Your face shine upon me. Thank You for filling my heart with great joy. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. In Jesus name. Amen.

June 16th: Chuck Smith and Love Song

Horizon Christian Fellowship welcomes Chuck Smith & Love Song
 

On Wednesday, June 16th at 7pm, Horizon is happy to welcome Pastor Chuck Smith, of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, as well as one of the original "Jesus People" bands of the 1970's, Love Song. You won't want to miss this special evening!

About Chuck Smith

In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Only twenty-five people attended. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a church that seats over 2000 and is filled almost nightly. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach draws 25,000 people weekly.

With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ. Included among this generation of new believers were Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, Raul Ries, and Skip Heitzig, as well as hundreds of others who now have ministries of their own.

About Love Song

In the early 70's, during the beginnings of what became known as the "Jesus Movement," a group of young, longhaired, "hippie" musicians called LOVE SONG began to use their music to express their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. A mixture of rock and pop, LOVE SONG's music was entirely new and unique for the Christian music world.

The music was fresh, sometimes radical, and yet truly inspirational for a generation of young people searching for truth. It helped blaze the path for what we know today as Contemporary Christian Music. They flourished amidst the swirl of national media attention from top record labels and interviews with magazines including ROLLING STONE. God used them in a powerful way to bring many people to Himself. “In a world of imitators, Love Song has been an originator, the first domino that started the others going” - Stan Jantz

LOVE SONG has reunited for their 2010 Feel The Love tour, bringing their timeless music and message to a new generation. Whether you are revisiting an amazing era called the Jesus Movement, or discovering the impact of this group for the first time, join LOVE SONG in experiencing the transforming power of God's love…and bring a friend.

Devotional by Pastor Mike Macintosh

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
Matthew 3:1-2

Although John the Baptist was a tremendous man of God, he was simply a messenger for God with a very clear message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." God's call was for the people to repent, to literally change their mind. They were to stop serving false gods and turn back to the True and Living God. The people were following a road that would keep them separated from God, but John cried for the people to turn around. Jesus put it this way…

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

There may be some of you reading this today who are on the broad road -- the road that only leads to destruction -- but the plea of Jesus for you this very day is that you would make a change of mind and direction. Recognize that you are on the wrong road and choose to follow Jesus. By making that decision, you will step foot onto the road that leads to life.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13).

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Mike is pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, California.

“Crazy Mike”

We enjoy the opportunities we have had to worship at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego with Pastor Mike Macintosh.

One of our favorite messages by Pastor Mike was on the subject of how Christ has given us freedom from sin. His emphasis was on the danger of ignoring God’s escape from the penalty of sin... His gracious gift of love through Jesus Christ our Lord.

²⁰For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death. ²²But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. ²³For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23 [AMP]

One favorite thing about Pastor Mike’s messages is his unique sense of humor.

During this particular Sunday, Mike told a joke about a Baptist man who lived in a Catholic neighborhood. He barbecued venison in his back yard every evening.

During Lent season, this drove his neighbors crazy because they were not allowed to eat meat during Lent. This went on year after year and was a great frustration to these folks.

Finally, they called their priest and asked him to convert the Baptist man. After a few days, the man went to the Catholic church where he had his first mass. The priest sprinkled him with holy water and said, “You were born a baptist... you have lived as a baptist... but you are now a catholic.”

Later, on a Friday evening, his neighbors were eating fish when they smelled the BBQ going with venison on it. Upset, they called the priest. The priest grabbed his rosary and went to chastise the man for eating venison on a Friday.

The priest arrived in the man’s backyard and saw him sprinkling holy water on the BBQ and saying, “You were born a deer... you have lived as a deer... but today you are a catfish.”

Some people think they can just do a little “sprinkle” and continue to live the old sinful lives that they had always lived. But if we will truly give our lives to Christ and turn away from our sins, we can experience true Freedom.

Catch Pastor Mike and other great ministers at: Horizon Christian Fellowship .

Epicenter

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, FORMER DELTA FORCE COMMANDER, AND RENOWNED BIBLE TEACHER TO HOST CONFERENCE TO EXAMINE GLOBAL & MIDDLE EAST CRISES IN LIGHT OF BIBLE PROPHECY

“With wars and rumors of wars dominating headlines, what does the future hold?” An expected 10,000 to gather in San Diego on April 4th at Epicenter Conference for answers to this and other questions

(Washington, D.C.) – Joel C. Rosenberg, the New York Times best-selling author of Epicenter: Why The Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future, announced today that on April 4th he will host the 2009 Epicenter Conference to examine several rising global geopolitical and economic crises in light of Bible prophecy. Rosenberg will be joined at the conference by Lt.-General (ret.) Jerry Boykin, the former commander of the Army’s elite Delta Force and the former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence; and Pastor Chuck Smith, the renowned Bible teacher, author, radio host and prophecy expert.

“With wars and rumors of wars dominating the Middle East, the eyes of the world are riveted on Israel, Iran and their neighbors, the epicenter of the dramatic events that are shaping our world and shaking our future,” said Rosenberg, whose new non-fiction book about the Mideast – Inside The Revolution – releases March 10th from Tyndale House Publishers. “Americans are reading apocalyptic headlines out of the Middle East. They are looking for answers to questions like, Is there any chance of peace in the Middle East in the near future, or are we headed toward even more catastrophic wars? Why are Iran’s leaders saying the end of the world is near, and the way to hasten the coming of the Islamic Messiah is to annihilate the U.S. and Israel? What happens if Iran gets nuclear weapons? Why is Russia helping Iran go nuclear? How will coming events in the Middle East affect us as Americans, economically and geopolitically? Were the global crises we see unfolding today foretold thousands of years ago by the Hebrew prophets? And given the urgency of such crises, is there any hope in the world today?”

WHO: Joel C. Rosenberg, Pastor Chuck Smith, and Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Jerry Boykin

WHAT: The 2009 Epicenter Conference:Understanding Today’s Global
Crises In Light of Bible Prophecy.

WHEN: April 4, 2009 – 9:00am to 4:00pm

WHERE: Cox Arena, San Diego, and web cast gavel to gavel at www.epicenter09.com

Rosenberg, who has more than 1.5 million copies of his political thrillers and non-fiction books in print and is often a guest on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, the History Channel and other networks, noted that the emergence of a new President of the United States and a new Prime Minister in Israel – as well as upcoming national elections in Iran in June – are developments that are adding to the volatility and uncertainty regarding the future of the Middle East and how Americans will be affected. He also cited the following recent headlines to underscore the timeliness of the 2009 Epicenter Conference:

• IRAN HOLDS ENOUGH URANIUM FOR NUCLEAR BOMB – Financial Times, 2/19/09

• Israel, Iran liable to clash in 2009 over nukes, says U.S. intel chief – Haaretz, a leading Israeli newspaper, 2/14/09

• Hayden: Iran near nuke decision; Departing CIA chief says American intelligence agency Tehran appears to be nearing decision on whether to build nuclear warhead – Associated Press, 1/16/09

• Iran president says Israeli leaders face 'doomed end' – Los Angeles Times, 1/16/09

• Russia to start Iran nuclear plant by year end – Reuters, 2/5/09

• Bin Laden urges jihad against Israel – Associated Press, 1/14/09

• Obama Turns to Mideast, Offers ‘New Way’ With Muslims – Bloomberg, 1/21/09

“Wherever General Boykin, Pastor Chuck Smith and I travel – throughout the United States and around the world – we meet people who are increasingly anxious about the future of the United States, the future of Israel, and the future of the Islamic world,” said Rosenberg, who recently returned home to Washington, D.C., after four weeks traveling through Israel, Iraq, India and the Persian Gulf region. “I am honored that these two distinguished experts in military intelligence and Bible prophecy respectively will be joining me to help Americans – and all who join us via the world wide web – better understand current events not just through the lenses of geopolitics and economics, but also through the ‘third lens’ of Scripture.”

The San Diego event will be the first Epicenter Conference held in the United States. In April 2008, Rosenberg, Boykin and Smith spoke at the inaugural Epicenter Conference which was held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem.

Background on the major speakers at conference:

• Joel C. Rosenberg – An author and former political advisor based in Washington, D.C., Rosenberg previously served as a senior aide to former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky and U.S. presidential candidate Steve Forbes. In April 2008, Rosenberg, an evangelical Christian, hosted the first Epicenter Conference in Jerusalem, an event that drew some 2,000 people from around the world to examine regional threats to Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. His forthcoming non-fiction book, Inside The Revolution: How The Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling To Dominate The Middle East And Transform The World, will be released March 10, 2009 from Tyndale House Publishers. His previous non-fiction book, Epicenter, was a New York Times best-seller, as were each of his five political thrillers, all of which were set in the Middle East. He is the co-producer of a documentary film called Epicenter. In 2006, he and his wife founded The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net), a non-profit organization to educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors with food, clothing, medical equipment, and other relief aid.

• Pastor Chuck Smith – A renowned Bible teacher, author of numerous books, and host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Word For Today, Pastor Chuck is the founder of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, an evangelical congregation that draws some 25,000 people weekly in southern California. He is widely known for his passion to teach the Scriptures to lay people, his commitment to train evangelical leaders, and his deep love for the Jewish people and State of Israel. Since 1965, he and the pastors he has trained and inspired have started more than 1,200 Calvary Chapel evangelical churches throughout the U.S. and around the world. Over the years, Pastor Chuck has led numerous tours to the Holy Land. He co-hosted his first conference in Jerusalem in 1983 with then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and was a headliner at the inaugural Epicenter Conference in Jerusalem in April 2008.

• Lt.-General (retired) William “Jerry” Boykin – A founding member of the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force, Boykin was part of the commando team President Carter sent into Iran in 1980 to rescue American hostages held by the Ayatollah’s followers. He later helped liberate Grenada from Soviet-backed Communists and was severely wounded in the effort. He went on to help capture Panamanian dictator Manuel Noreiga, was promoted to Commander of Delta Force, and later oversaw the training of all U.S. Special Forces at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He was then promoted to the rank of three-star general and retired in 2007 after serving as the U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. An evangelical Christian, he is the author of Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom. He is a popular speaker and lecturer throughout the United States, and was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Epicenter Conference in Jerusalem in April 2008.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

I was listening to Pastor Mike Macintosh today talking about the situation in the Middle East with hundreds of rockets aimed at and/or fired at Israel... and retaliatory strikes by the Israeli armed forces. This has been going on for days... and yet we are just hearing about it now...

Mike related these events to Biblical prophecy... and it is eye opening when we consider how the nations of the world are bankrupt... the ongoing Jihad is putting pressure on Israel and who knows what they are plotting against the USA...

I guess the bottom line is... do your best to enjoy life... love everybody... and seek to walk humbly before the Lord while you can. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

Week of Prayer and Fasting

Our friend and pastor Mike Macintosh is having a week of prayer and fasting at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego -- with churches all over participating.

Visit http://www.weekofprayerandfasting.org/ for more details!

And pray for the salvation of souls around the world...

Ben Stein Expelled...

Pastor Mike Macintosh referenced Ben Stein’s movie -- noting that there is a movement to deny the existence of God. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. In Psalm 139, David describes that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. One single cell in our bodies is more complex than anything an engineer can design or build.

Don’t be a carnal, fleshly person who dies a Godless life and faces eternal separation from God. Your breath will leave you one day... and your thoughts and mind will cease. Once you shut down, make sure you are prepared for what follows.

Atheists say that nothing exists after death. But wouldn't you rather have insurance for your soul? If you never crash your car, it didn't hurt to have insurance. If there is no afterlife, it doesn't hurt to insure your soul.

Own the peace of the Rock.

Like a Good Neighbor, Jesus is there!

Seven Minutes of Wisdom: Eying Eternity

I have been contemplating many prophetic voices proclaiming that we are near the end of this world age and that Jesus is soon to return. I am of the school of thought to be ready for His return, but to also prepare in case the time for His return will be extended.

That preparation is two-fold:

1. To prepare ourselves to be ready to stand before the Living God
2. To share the good news with others so that they too may be ready.

Does that mean we just live any way we please -- mistreating others and breaking the law as if there were no repercussions? As Pastor Mickey Stonier said today at Horizon Christian Fellowship (in San Diego), man may not be watching when you break the law, but God is always watching.

Our latest seven minutes of wisdom gives you something to think about in that regard. We hope that this is a blessing to you, and to those whom you deal with every day...

Click Here to Listen, or, Right-click to download

Along the lines of what we have been hearing and receiving and cogitating on today, we received the following via e-mail from Wayne Freeman (thanks to Pastor Jake). We will share it with you as additional food for thought:

Open Doors & Divine Appointments

I want you to begin to pray with me & for me for open doors & divine appointments in all of our lives; opportunities to do something to advance the plans of God for His kingdom in the last days. Time is winding down really fast; & if we ever plan to do something to advance the work of the kingdom, now is the time to do it. I’m amazed by people who say they believe Jesus will return within the next 10 or 15 years, & yet they are hoarding money & things & making plans for 30 or 40 years down the road. Either we believe Jesus is coming back soon, or we don’t. If you knew this was going to be your last day on Earth how would your priorities change. I was trained by an old minister years ago to live my life like every day might be my last day on Earth; & trust me it makes a big difference in your priorities to do so. Things that once seemed so important no longer hold the same significance in that light. We are on the verge of the revelation of the army of the beast & Satan’s kingdom ruling the Earth; & this year could mark the beginning of the end folks.

It Won’t Be Water But Fire Next Time

We have been praying for the residents of Southern California as raging fires have destroyed thousands of homes and resulted in the greatest evacuation since the Civil War. News reporters have used the word “hell” to describe the conditions as hot windstorms whipped the fire across thousands of acres... at one point creating what looked like a tornado made of fire.

A colleage asked a poignant question. Could this be judgement? Could God be telling us something?

Earlier, I was enjoying a sermon by Pastor Mike Macintosh in which he mentioned a disturbing law recently passed by the governor of California.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill into law that defines gender as “sex, [including] a person's gender identity and gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.” This means that terms such as “mom” or “dad” are practically outlawed in California schools.

This also suggests that a boy who considers himself transgendered can go into the girls’ showers... and vice versa.

Could this be judgement, or simply coindicence?

Type rest of the post here

He’s Back...

After two months of convalescence after back surgery, Pastor Mike Macintosh is back! It was so exciting to see him back in action, although I was not fortunate to be back in San Diego...

Continue to keep Pastor Mike and the Horizon Christian Fellowship family in prayer. This is one church that doesn’t keep it to themselves... they spread the love.

If you are in San Diego or nearby... pay them a visit! Tell them Brotha DC sent you.

The message this morning, “What happened to America?”

Update on Mike Macintosh

The original surgery that Mike had on his back was successful. However, ten days after the back surgery, a problem arose and a second emergency surgery was performed. This second surgery was very difficult; however the Lord is healing the body, strengthening the mind, and filling the spirit. The swelling and discomfort should be gone in three months and Mike is hoping to be preaching again within the next few weeks.

Mike has been encouraged:

“God has been gracious to speak deeply to my soul through this season. I have started reading once again through the Bible and taking notes. New and fresh discoveries are popping up everywhere I look. I certainly identify with the Psalmist:

And I said, This is my infirmity:
But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Psalms 77:10-13 (KJV)

The prayers from everyone have been so used to encourage me. God is good and God is love -- there is so much for which to be thankful.”

Keep Pastor Mike in Prayer!

Mike MacIntosh Update

We received a message from The Horizon Christian Fellowship family regarding the surgery that Pastor Mike MacIntosh had this past week:

We would like to send a special thank you to everyone who has been praying for Mike. His back surgery this past week went well and he is now home and in the recovery period, resting. He will be down and quiet on his back for two weeks.

The following two weeks will allow for a little more walking and moving around. The fusion process for the vertebrae will take approximately 6 months. The pain level may stay at the preoperative level and/or hopefully begin to subside in the coming weeks.

Mike is very appreciative of all the prayers that he felt and heard in his room at the hospital in the early days of recovery. He's humbled by the love and gentleness of those who have sent well wishes. He feels very small right now and thanks God for His love and mercy on such a sinner as himself.

Our physical lives are so fragile. One of the fresh lessons learned is to be tender towards one another. Life is but a vapor - we must put more value on our time with the Lord, family, and friends.

Mike feels so encouraged that God has used him in spite of himself through the many years of chronic pain, and he is amazed that the future holds loving opportunities to continue in the service of His Kingdom.

May the Lord bless you, as your love and prayers have so blessed the MacIntosh family.

 

Happy Memorial Day

We were trying to think of some profound words to share about Memorial Day when, in our inbox, arrived a devotional from Pastor Mike Macintosh of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, CA. We found his words fitting for the holiday and hope he doesn’t mind us sharing them with you.

Incidentally, Pastor Mike will be having surgery tomorrow to correct chronic back pain. Please lift him up in prayer.

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Memorial Day is so much more than just a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. For many Americans, unfortunately, this is a “long weekend” to simply take the boat out, go camping, relax and have friends over for a barbeque. To others, it is a legitimate excuse to drink all the beer they can, and lull around in an easy chair.

On the other hand, for many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans and military personnel, this day is a solemn day; a day which has a history in the United States stretching back to the Civil War, and is an important reminder for every free citizen of those who died in the service of their country.

President Franklin Roosevelt said, “Eleanor and I hate war.” We can all say, “Amen” to that, can’t we? Why does it seem that war is actually glorified? It would be interesting for someone to take a 365-day calendar and poll the 500 television stations available in the USA, along with the internet and motion pictures, and list the number of movies, documentaries, photo galleries, and books having to do with past and present wars. Not even to mention the future wars or star wars currently on the “drawing boards.”

Today, may we bow our heads before Almighty God and first thank Him for this wonderful country we live in? Thank Him for the brave men and women who have given their lives for the freedoms that we take for granted this day. Thank God for the parents, brothers and sisters, friends and relatives who have lost loved ones in one of these ugly wars. Today, we honor the memories of those who fought from Valley Forge to Gettysburg, from Iwo Jima to Berlin. We ask God’s forgiveness for our sins as a nation; sins so horrendous that we would have to take and give human life to protect a way of life.

Today we humbly ask the forgiveness of God for our nation turning our backs to Him and going about lifestyles that nailed His Son to the Cross. May God love us, help us, and protect us in the name of Jesus.

The final battle of mankind is drawing closer each day -- “that great and terrible day,” the prophet Joel called it:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

- Joel 2:28-32 (KJV)

This is a wonderful thought that wars will end, lives will go on, and hope for eternity reigns through the finished work of the Cross.

 

Pray for Pastor Mike Macintosh

Pastor Mike Macintosh announced during this morning’s worship service that he will be having surgery this coming week.

As he goes in to have a long-term back condition dealt with on Tuesday, be sure to lift him up in prayer for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.

Sin Shall No Longer Be Your Master

Today, we worshiped at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego with Pastor Mike Macintosh. Mike gave a powerful message on the subject of Christ giving us freedom from sin... with an emphasis on the danger of ignoring God’s gift of love through Jesus Christ.

²⁰For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

²¹But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death.

²²But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.

²³For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23

Mike told a joke about a Baptist man who lived in a Catholic neighborhood. He barbecued venison in his back yard every evening. During lent season, this drove his neighbors crazy because they couldn’t eat meat.

Finally, they called their priest to convert him. After a few days, the man went to the Catholic church where he had his first mass. The priest sprinkled him with holy water and said, “You were born a baptist... you have lived as a baptist... but you are now a catholic.”

Later, on a Friday evening, his neighbors were eating fish when they smelled the BBQ going with venison on it. Upset, they called the priest. The priest grabbed his rosary and went to chastise the man for eating venison on a Friday.

The priest arrived in the man’s backyard and saw him sprinkling holy water on the BBQ, saying “You were born a deer... you have lived as a deer... but today you are a catfish.”

Some people think they can just do a little “sprinkle” and continue to live the way they always lived. But if we will give our lives to Christ and turn away from our sins, we can experience true Freedom.

You can watch video of Pastor Mike’s message here.

Who is Jesus?

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15-17)

Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the promised Messiah... the Anointed One... the Son of the Living God.

Not a dead god. Not some idol. No... Jesus is the Son of The Most High God. There is no one else like him!

Jesus is not simply a noble man to be admired, a good teacher to learn from, or a prophet sent by God, but Jesus is the Messiah that God promised to send and He is the Son of the One and only true God.

Recognize who Jesus is today, and let this world know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

(special thanks to Mike Macintosh)