God Sized Things Happen in Cul-De-Sac Moments

Many of us, particularly those of us that have been around awhile, are pretty good at developing plans...dealing with situations...dealing with people...developing a program...even getting out of a pickle...etc. Stick with me, let's chase a rabbit.

The Theologian Mike Tyson says, "We've all got a plan...until we get punched in the face."

In Exodus 15, God's people had a plan to leave their 430 year captivity in Egypt.  Egypt had become their culture for 430 years...some had become fully "Egyptian" even to the point of worshipping the Egyptian gods.

On the other hand, there were those that were not Israelites that became followers of Yahweh during this time. Several would end up leaving Egypt with the Israelites.

I can't imagine being in slavery for 430 years...and the low morale that probably prevailed among the Israelites. For generations, all they knew was the life of a slave.

For many of us, when we find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation...especially one that may seem hopeless, the shortest route to the promised land would probably be our first choice. Exodus 13:17 - When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistines territory, even though that was the shortest route to the promised land. 

God knew, though the Israelites may not have, that they would get "punched in the face" if they took the shortest route through Philistine territory to the promised land. In Exodus 13:17b - God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they may change their minds and return to Egypt."

When you think about the possibility of up to two million people exiting Egypt - including women and children - there is no way that they would just sneak through Philistine territory. And, although some of them may have been armed, God knew that his people were not ready for a battle.

So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness.

I'm not sure about the wilderness. In my opinion, bad things could happen in the wilderness...unpredictable things.

Personally, I would not think that a roundabout through the wilderness is a really a good idea. "Our odds might be better against the Philistines," I would rationalize. At least we are familiar with them and have an idea what to expect.

Let's just get to the promised land as fast as we can....that's my thinking.

If you continue to read the story, the people were obedient and continued to follow their leader.  They were able to see God show up in a big way, making his presence known by leading his people with a pillar of cloud for shade in the day and a pillar of fire by night allowing them to travel by day or night.

As the story continues in Exodus 14, God gives instructions to Moses to have the people turn back. (Try turning around up to two million people...let me know how that goes for you). They were instructed to camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the Sea (Exodus 14:1-2). This location did not make sense because it put God's people in a defenseless position...in a cul-de-sac with mountains and the Red Sea behind them. in this position, the Israelites could see that they would be vulnerable and have no place to retreat from an attacking enemy.

It was in that moment that they began to question Moses and his leadership...which was really questioning God. Even though the Israelites had seen God do several miracles up to this point in leading them, they were ready to back pedal...some even desiring to return to the dysfunction of slavery. (We will often do the same...we learn how to deal with and cope with dysfunction...its the unknown we tend not to like).

Sure enough, as the story goes, the Egyptians changed their minds and went after the Israelites.

The Israelites were in a bad place and they would desperately need God to show up and intervene on their behalf.

As the Egyptian Army approached Moses replied to their panic, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again" (Exodus14:13) This was easier said than done...what the Israelites were seeing with their own eyes was the Egyptians quickly approaching.

As the Egyptians began to overtake the Israelites God said to Moses, "My glory is about to be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers."

The rest of the story is history. God parted the waters. The Israelites walked across dry ground to the promised land. The ensuing Egyptians were overcome by the waters and drowned in the process of pursuing God's people.

As the Israelites watched God's power in the moment...imagine the chaotic scene of bodies and horses washing up on the shore...all they could do was stop and worship. Despite their lack of faith in Moses and God, he delivered them from what appeared to be a hopeless situation.

God is still in the delivery business today. No matter what situation you find yourself in, God can use it to bring glory to himself. If you find yourself being overtaken by life, stand back, God may be about to do his greatest miracle in your life.

It's a privilege to serve as your Discipleship Pastor, Dean

A time to pray...

A time to pray!
If my people will humble themselves and pray....

Solomon, has just finished building the temple of the Lord and his palace.  He has just finished placing the final touches to make it just right and Lord appears to him.

“I have heard your prayers and have chosen this place….if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”

How do you come to God in prayer?  Are you rushing in saying, telling God this is what you need, what you would like done, and bless my family and others?

Satan had a desire to make us and keep us busy.  Too keep us in a stage of business – almost as if our lives are stuck in the fast-forward-mode.  Psalms 46:10 – Be STILL, and know that I am God…  When you fall to your knees allow yourself to just stop and come into the presences of God. What do you need to do to block all of the distractions out? Humble yourselves and seek God (dig through His word) learn how God speaks to you. 

Spend some time every day this week praying.  What can you do to communicate to God better?

Please continue to be on your knees!  God is moving in our church!

“…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray…”

See you Sunday,

Mike

He is Risen!
He is Risen, Indeed!

This joyous exclamation proclaiming the resurrection of our Lord is declared by believers around the world. In at least 250 languages, Christians greet one another with this good news, reflecting the New Testament passages that record the announcement to the disciples and to the world. "He's alive!" "The tomb is empty!" "He is not here!" "He is risen, just as he said!"

Imagine the grief of the hour as they took His lifeless body from the cross and placed Him in the grave. Imagine the excitement of those who were the first to hear..."Christ is risen!"

This Easter week we will celebrate the resurrection with the same excitement that has characterized Easter worship for believers for over 2000 years. In doing so, we join millions who declare that He is Lord.

In some countries, the paschal greeting is accompanied by a triple kiss of peace. We may not be doing that this Sunday, but if you join us this week in worship, there's a really good chance you may get to say to the world "Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!"

Bro. Mickey

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Note:
Upper Room Weekly Communion Discontinued
The Upper Room will still be open for prayer each Sunday at 9:15, but communion will no longer be served at that time. Details here.

Children's Ministry - Building the House

This summer our theme for Over the Edge Pre-teen Camp is LEGOs. Hopefully, you remember the time you had a LEGO set or children played with them. I remember having fun with legos as a kid, but they were not as cool as they are today. In this day and time you can make anything. People have made the Star Wars Death Star, life-size car, an air craft carrier, and even a LEGO version of Stephen Hawking (Don’t ask me why.) The main scripture for the week is Hebrews 3:4- “Every house is built by someone. But God is the builder of everything.”

When I first saw that verse, I thought how appropriate for me starting at Northside. Even though the last children’s minister and volunteers had developed a good structure, there are many opportunities to add and build to it. My desire is that God will to be in charge of building this children’s ministry. To do this, I will need volunteers to step up and help build a dynamic children’s ministry that will reach all of Victoria.

There are two things that we will be adding to and building on. The first is Kid’s Worship on Sunday mornings. Please pray about helping in that area, whether it is once a month or every Sunday. We will be starting a new curriculum, and will be making some changes. For this to happen, I will need you to be a part of the help.

Starting May 11, we will be starting Extreme Kid’s Live. This will be a fun program that will be an outreach to unchurched kids. This is a very easy program to serve in, and there is no lesson preparation involved. If you are interested in serving this summer, contact me at davebenefield@victoria.org.


Dave

He Knows My Name

     “Grayson, Bobby, Katy, whatever your name is please pick up that toy.”  This is how a typical conversation may begin at our home.  I’m not sure about you, but having a wife, three children, and two dogs I easily get confused on who I am talking to.  This is especially true when I am flustered or frustrated.  I’m sure this has never happened to any of you reading this.  Why am I sharing this with you?  Reading through the scriptures recently I noticed several times God reminding us that He knows us personally even calling us by name. 

 “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” John 10:14-15

 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” Jeremiah 1:5

     I’m not sure about you but it is very humbling to consider I get confused with my very small family yet God knows each name of the ones He created.  With roughly 7.1 billion people on this planet that is no small task.  Not only does He know who we are but He has plans for each one of us.  Again being the leader of a small family it is often hard for me just to keep up with our weekly schedule let alone the future plans.  All of these things have allowed me to focus on just how small and weak we truly are.  There is nothing we could do that could even come close to the power of God.  Why is that God feels the need to tell us so many times how He knows us and created us?  It is because to many times in days of trial and tribulation our minds wonder and question if God really hears us, knows us, or cares about us. 

     He knows our voice but do you know His?  My children know my voice because they hear me frequently.  When they are playing outside and I call for them they come because my voice is familiar to them. Do we know the voice of God? How can you know the voice of God?  Listen for Him.  If you listen you will hear.  We do not become familiar with something by doing it once or twice a month you must be constantly listening for God’s voice.  Isn’t it good to know that our Father is never distracted from us, never forgets our name, and never takes His attention from us?  This week take some time to actually listen for God.  Clear your thoughts and remove the distractions and just spend some time talking with God.  Remember you don’t need to introduce yourself He already knows your name! 

 Tom Smith

Pastor of Music and Worship

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting!

WAITING!  WAITING!  WAITING! 

This weekend my wife and I went and watch our youngest son at a school track meet.  We spent most of our day sitting in the sun and cool breeze just watching and waiting for our son’s events to take place.  Lots and lots of waiting.

                Then finally it came time for our son’s events and the waiting was over.  We sat up and watched with more intensity.  We didn’t want to miss one minute as he took his mark and waited for his events to begin.

                Many times we ask God to intervene or act on our behalf and then we wait and watch.  Waiting can sometimes become hard.  We may not understand why we have to wait, but God’s timing is always best.  So therefore, we may have to wait.

                Matthew 24:42 “…keep watch because you do not know on what day the Lord will come.” 

When God decides it’s time to move and work in our lives we need to sit up and watch with intensity.  We need to be ready.  We need to be looking out for God to begin moving and meeting our needs and request. 

Many times we get distracted while waiting.  Our minds wonder and we begin day dreaming to the point we miss out on that which we were waiting on.  I grew up in a deer hunting family and can remember getting up while it was still dark and going out to sit in the deer stand.  The waiting game began.  There were a few times I fell asleep and almost fell out of my chair.  On one occasion I remember jerking myself awake and looking around and there was a deer looking right at me.  The second I began to reach for the gun the deer was off and out of site.

As Christians we need to be watching as we wait.  When we see that God is moving/working we will be ready to join in.  So remember to keep watch!  Because you do not know when the Lord will show up.  See you Sunday,

Mike

               

I served at my first church for over 11 years. This was a place I had become very established in my ministry and routine. I went to my second church and served three and half years.  Both times it was not easy to leave because I dreaded the “start over phase”. It is never easy. Looking for a new place to live, making new friends, figuring out a routine, starting over in ministry, figuring out all the new rules, and anything else that a new person has to do. (Now please don’t misunderstand me- I am very excited about being at Northside.) Then I paused for a brief moment and realized I may have it all backwards.  I was given a new start and a brand new chance to do things differently. God was giving me a great opportunity  to have an impact for the kingdom. On my first Sunday, one of the things I made up my mind to do would be something different than I had ever done before. I started taking pictures of all the kids, and writing down their names so I could learn them. It didn’t matter how many changes to the programs I made or new things I added. More than ever, the most important thing was to immediately start building a relationship with the Northside kids. 

Before Christ converted people over to Him, he spent time getting to know them. One of my favorite examples is Zacchaeus. On surface level, he was a major “loser”. This man was dishonest, looked like a runt, and was mostly considered a sinner because he collected taxes for the Roman government. Most Jews despised anybody that worked for the Roman government. The plan of Christ was so much different He spent time getting to know them first. Not once did Zacchaeus’ past prevent Christ from starting a relationship with Him. (For the record, at all of the churches I have served, I would eventually get to know all the kids and was concerned about building a relationship with them.) At Northside I have a new opportunity to be more effective for him and the kingdom. Learning names is important to me, but most importantly, kids matter to God. Another story I think about is when Jesus lets the kids come to Him. The kids came to Jesus as they are; however, the disciples were trying to stand in the way of them coming to Jesus. Christ response was “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”(Mark 10:14)

Not only do I have the opportunity to do things better than I have before, but Christ gives us a new start every day. How can we make the most of it? Maybe Christ wants to reveal something new that will impact your life and others. 

Dave Benefield

Minister to Children