Can Satan Read Your Mind?

Wednesday night we had a lively discussion about the power and limitations of Satan and his angels. There are over 200 references to Satan, the devil and demons in the Bible. As I was studying this broad subject for my message on April 13, I received an insight that I believe was from God that gave me a great deal of comfort and confidence. You and I are “one” dimensional; Satan and his demons are “two” dimensional; but God Almighty is “THREE” dimensional. I said something about the devil and his workers being two dimensional because they know our thoughts. Since then, I have studied that idea and we participated in a discussion Wednesday night about that fact. I see no clear reference in the Bible that says that demons know your thoughts. The references are mostly about how he can influence your thoughts through temptation, deception, lying . . . to entice you to sin.

In Ephesians 6, the Bible uses the words “flaming arrows.” This is a general description of the devil’s opposition to us as followers of Jesus Christ. It can refer to our vulnerability for fear, doubt, anger, lust, depression, shame, etc. These attacks come from the external source of enemy forces and try to penetrate a person’s mind, will or emotions. The purpose is to tempt or compel a vulnerable Christian into committing sin, and thus weaken our testimony. With those kind of preoccupations, he can entice us away from the purpose of our lives and cause us to be ineffective. This is serious, as I mentioned in the sermon on April 13. There is no doubt that Satan and his angels have greater power than you and me. That is, we are one dimensional because we are only aware of what is true in us as individuals, but he is two dimensional, knowing ways to effectively attack each of us.

However, when we are sincerely connected to the Almighty God in the name of Jesus Christ, we have power to resist the devil and put on the full armor of God. I want you to put on the full armor of God and watch our three-dimensional God, who knows all, protect you with the spiritual gifts of truth, righteousness, peace, faith and his eternal Word. There is no need to fear, but neither do we want to be ignorant. Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to extinguish these flaming arrows with a faith that is strong and growing. Faith is Jesus Christ and an intimate knowledge of his Word will protect you. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then . . .” (Ephesians 6:10f) You are encouraged to stand firm in the faith. Remember the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and his ultimate victory. You have everything from God that you need to stand firm!

The Lord's Will Be Done

Congratulations to Chad Harvey, as our church unanimously voted for him to begin his full-time service at New Harvest on June 1. This is an ideal time because the summer has lots of potential for our young people to connect with each other and reach out to their friends. There is more discretionary time during the summer, as well as the already scheduled events like our mission trip from June 13-21. FYI - The membership voted 51 (yes) to 0 (no); the regular attenders who were a part of the meeting this past Sunday voted 31 (yes) and 0 (no). We are delighted with how God is using Chad and Jessica in our midst and we look forward to what he will do in the future. Please pray for them and our young people as this is such a strategic season in the life of a teenager, as well as a wonderful opportunity for us as a church to see God work in even greater ways among our students. May the Lord bless Chad and Jessica.

This Sunday the message will highlight an event in the Book of Acts found in chapter 21. There is a phrase that has caught my attention, and I can’t get it out of my mind – “The Lord’s will be done.” This is a key phrase in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul said something similar in Acts 18:21, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” How am I to understand God’s will? When Lila Troutman heard of her husbands drowning at age 50, she quoted Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.” Dawson Troutman, the founder of the Navigators, tried to rescue two girls who were thrown from a speedboat when he ended up drowning himself. Dawson’s wife took comfort in the fact that God does all things well, even if she didn’t understand it. You can know that whatever the future brings, our God has a plan and nothing surprises him. We may ask why, but in the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, we can take comfort in knowing that God knows what is best. Please join me as we investigate this important subject as well as offer you a special invitation to enter into a very deep relationship with God that is built on trust.

We will also enjoy several baptisms as a part of our worship service this Sunday. It will be a grand time to be together. Did you know that there were 316 people that attended church last Sunday? This is a great time to be a part of New Harvest.

The powerful documentary, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, is scheduled for release today, April 18. The film exposes a campaign of intimidation, harassment, persecution and a career-assassination that has been carried out for years against those who question the reigning orthodoxy of neo-Darwinism. You will love this movie!

The Number 13

This Sunday will be April 13. That doesn’t seem like such a big deal. But it got me to thinking about the number 13. We all know the number is thought of as an unlucky number. This Sunday I plan to give you the “scoop” on the number 13. Is it really unlucky? What is that idea based on?? Since April 13 is this Sunday, and not a Friday, are we ok? Is this reality or superstition? In our story from Acts 19 we read about people using handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul to heal the sick. What’s that all about? Is that superstition or reality? In that same story, when some people use the name of Jesus but don’t know him personally, what happens? The story goes on to tell that one man beat up seven Jewish exorcists and all seven of them ran away naked and wounded. Is that reality or superstition?

Have I got you curious enough to check it out? Well, I am not sure of all the answers to even the questions I have asked, but I am going to give it a try this Sunday as we look at how much is a part of the unseen world. In the Book of Acts, just when we think there is great advancement, it seems like something comes out of the blue and tries to bring a stop to what God is about through the good news of Jesus Christ. That is not surprising, it’s happened throughout history. We will look at it again with a message entitled, “Backstage – What You Don’t See.”

I hope you will also make a point to come to our special congregational meeting as our Youth Ministry is presented, along with our half-time Youth Pastor, Chad Harvey. We have a very important proposal that we want the members and regular attenders to hear firsthand. We will take a vote for members and regular attenders will also be able to give their opinion. The meeting is planned for 12:30pm this Sunday.

It's just math

I’d like to have a little fun with you. For some of you this might not be as much fun as it is for others. It is a mathematical problem which could be entitled “Restaurant Math.”

1. First of all, pick up the number of times a week that you would like to go
out to eat (more than once but less than 10).
2. Multiply the number by 2 (just to be bold).
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50
5. If you’ve already had your birthday this year, add 1,758 . . . if you
haven’t, add 1,757.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number. The first digit of this was your original number (how many times you want to go out to a restaurant in a week). The next two numbers are YOUR AGE – (Oh yes, it is!) This is the only year it will ever work, so spread it around while it lasts.

I have another mathematical suggestion that will add up to the kind of work that God wants to do in your life in 2008. How many times a week would you like to read the Bible (more than 5 but less than 10)? Reading the Bible will be nourishment to your soul, more than even the best restaurants in town. How are you doing on your Bible reading? Bible reading in and of itself is not the key, but connecting with God through his Word is. The theme for 2008, “Transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) Your soul will be transformed as you apply the Word of God to your life, all the while being spiritually nourished by the Holy Spirit.

As a Dad I am especially excited about this Sunday as my son Tyler, and his wife Rose, take the leadership role in our worship service. Our worship director, Shane, will be involved, and he has invited Tyler to be with us for this Sunday. It has worked out in his schedule and we will enjoy sharing Sunday morning with them. We will also be back in the Book of Acts. Don’t forget to read chapter 17, it will be the highlight of this message.

We are missionaries

I read a couple of interesting sayings about missionaries. Each one of these is meant to be funny, of course.

• Captured missionary to cannibals: "At least you get a taste of religion."
• It’s difficult for missionaries to make a living working with cannibals, they keep eating up the prophet!

That probably reveals more about my sick sense of humor than about the message I am feeling led to share through this e-mail. First thing I want to say, please pray for our Youth Group as there 15 teens and youth leaders ministering in Seattle to the homeless this weekend. Pray for their protection and that God would give them opportunity to share the Good News. This is their fourth mission trip during Spring Break to the inner-city of Seattle.

We want to be missionary church. We are on a mission to reach people and to help them become growing disciples in Christ. Without this God-given purpose life could be rather discouraging, or at least empty. It isn’t very satisfying just to accumulate things in this life when life on earth is short in comparison to preparing for eternity. I remind you in this e-mail that you have a purpose from God as his follower, and that is to make ripples of kindness, ripples of serving, ripples of love, ripples of truth that will touch one life after another. Being a missionary is simply making ripples for God as we point people to Christ.

Easter was great as usual with at least 50% more people in attendance than normal. We had 6 specific professions of faith and we are beginning to follow up on those lives this week. May Easter be a catalyst for a growing effect of our church body on the lives of others. We are missionaries.