Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (NIV)

 

The New Testament often likens the Christian life to a race, requiring training, dedication, focus, and perseverance to keep going in all circumstances. We also read in Scripture that we will experience trials and tribulations and a cost associated with a life fully surrendered to Christ (Luke 9:57-62).

 

Every day is a chance to surrender my desires and make sacrifices to finish my race and keep my faith (2 Timothy 4:7). The choice is to get up early and attend corporate worship or catch some extra sleep. The budget gets tight, and the choice arises to tithe and help others or to skimp on honoring God with our resources. Many sacrifices will be made; each is a training ground, ensuring we finish this faith race with endurance. Someone says something offensive, and the opportunity to forgive or hold a grudge comes up. Will I love the unlovable more than myself?

 

The good news is that God doesn't require sacrifice without extending great rewards. In Matthew 5:11-12, we are encouraged that our great reward is in heaven. Peter tells us that those who belong to God have an eternal inheritance in Christ that never spoils or fades (1 Peter1:3-6). After this race is over, and we finish strong, we get perfect communion with God and His people with no trace of sin; what an amazing trade-off for our time spent training. When we completed our course of life each of us will realize that the hours of training and the sacrifices we made were well worth the effort.

 

Remember that this life is a race today, especially if you're currently running the most challenging mile and feel unsure if you can keep going. Maybe you're not sprinting on this stretch like the people around you. That's okay; stay focused on Christ and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We can trust that as we make choices to sacrifice and persevere, our character and endurance have the opportunity to grow. And when we cross that finish line, we will finally be rewarded with the words we long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

 

WE ARE PRAYING DAILY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!

 

WALKING AFTER THE HEART OF GOD,

 

PASTOR MIKE

 

 

Mark 10:46-50, “Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. ⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” ⁵⁰ And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

Each of you has been in my prayers this morning. Praying for one another is becoming even more important as we identify the needs that are present in the lives of our family and friends. I would also encourage you to remember that there is a benefit in agreeing in prayer for a specific need. Do you remember the words of Jesus, “IF two or three agree…”

I would like to share with you an inspiration that I believe the Holy Spirit placed in my heart at the conclusion of last Sunday’s service. The Spirit reminded me of blind Bartimaeus and the story of his healing. Bartimaeus is sitting on the side of the road and he hears that Jesus is passing by that way. He immediately begins to cry out for Jesus to have mercy on him. I can close my eyes and hear the desperate yet faith filled cry that is coming from this man’s heart. Do we realize that Jesus hears each of us when we cry out for His assistance in our journey of life? I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the times that Jesus heard your cry for help!!!

The passage of scripture in Mark 10 reveals the sound of some other voices that are making noise at the same time that Bartimaeus is crying out for Jesus. The “noise” is the “voices of discouragement.” These other voices wanted the blind man to be quiet. EACH OF US must decide which voices we are going to listen to and which voices we will obey. We must remember that each of us will face the “voices of discouragement” any time that we choose to follow Christ. It is the devil’s intent to discourage us and to interfere in our journey of faith.

Satan wanted to keep Bartimaeus on the side of the road. Satan wants to keep EACH OF US on the side of the spiritual road of life. Satan wanted to keep Bartimaeus blind. Satan wants to keep EACH OF US spiritually blind. Satan wanted to keep Bartimaeus away from the presence of God. Satan wants to keep EACH OF US away from the presence of God through the Biblical principles of prayer, praise, fellowship and the corporate preaching of the Word of God.

Let me remind you of another voice in the crowd. In the midst of the discouragement someone declares these words, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He (Jesus) is calling you.” I am that voice this morning. I am saying that Jesus is calling us in the midst of our discouragement, in the midst of our trials, in the midst of our heartaches, in the midst of our hurts, in the midst of our excuses to stay on the sidelines, (This is not the time to be on the spiritual sidelines, this is the time to step into the battle and release our faith.), in the midst of our sorrows and heartaches, etc. God is calling each of us to draw near to Him regardless of whatever “in the midst of” situation or struggle we are facing.

Praise God, Bartimaeus chose to listen to the voice of Christ. He listened to Christ in obedience and he was healed. He chose to reject all of the “voices of discouragement and dismay.” He chose to respond to Christ!! Which voice will we chose to respond to today? Which voice will we chose to respond to the remaining days of our lives?

Each of you is DEFINITELY MISSED when you are unable to worship with us!! I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday (2-19). God is at work but we must be willing to let Him do His work in our lives. I encourage you to not listen to the voices of discouragement but listen for the VOICE OF CHRIST!! He is calling us to draw near to Him!! Take a step of faith and respond to His call!!  

 

 FYI: WEDNESDAY NIGHT (2-8) @ 6:30 PM @ NEW RIVER THE STUDY OF THE “FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT LED BY BRO. MIKE GIBSON!

FYI: PASTOR MIKE’S FACEBOOK LIVE MESSAGE ON THURSDAY NIGHT (2-9) @ 6:30 PM ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE, MICHAEL WILLINGHAM

FYI: THE PRESENCE OF GOD HAS BEEN SO RICH AND SO POWERFUL IN RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS!! WE MUST BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE AND RESPOND TO THE MOVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!! I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PRAYING FOR A “REVIVAL.” BUT WE MUST ALSO BE PRAYING THAT EACH OF US WILL SURRENDER TO THE MOVE OF THE SPIRIT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES!! I AM AFRAID THAT WE ARE MISSING SOME BLESSINGS BECAUSE WE ARE FAILING TO RESPOND IN OBEDIENCE. THIS IS THE TIME TO OBEY AND OPEN OUR HEARTS TO WHAT GOD DESIRES TO DO AMONG US!!

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORSHIPING WITH YOU ON SUNDAY MORNING (2-12) @ 10:30 AM!!!

In the past few weeks we have heard testimonies from various individuals who have experienced a divine intervention in their life or someone’s life that they knew. I felt led to remind us of the IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER ONCE AGAIN!! I realize that this may be “old news” to some but each of us face moments in which we wonder if God is hearing us. And why are things not changing if God is hearing us. These types of moments require us to have FULL FAITH & NOT PARTIAL FAITH!! God is hearing you, just keep praying!!

Psalm 116:2, “Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live” - 

Have you ever had times in your life when it seemed like God didn't hear you? It can seem pretty discouraging when we feel like our prayers aren’t being heard and we aren’t sensing God’s presence and interventions in difficult situations. Sadly, feeling unheard often leads people to feel unloved, forgotten, and of little value to God. 

Yet all those feelings aren’t based on truth but rather on what we aren’t seeing or experiencing happening in our lives because God does hear us. “And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him” (1 John 5:15). Often, when we feel unheard, God is at work in ways we may not see or know at the time. Romans 8:28 assures us in all situations, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

But God not only hears; He also listens, which means He pays attention and considers our words. Psalm 66:19 tells us, “But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” God hears and listens to our voices. “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears" (Psalm 16:8). As believers, we have God’s ear.

There are countless stories in the Bible of men and women who may have felt at times that God wasn’t hearing them. Individuals in situations where they really needed His ear, some of those caught in life-and-death situations where there was no hope for them if He didn’t hear and respond to them. Individuals like Joseph, Daniel, Paul, and more. Although we know how their stories ended, being human like us, they may have experienced a roller coaster of emotions in their circumstances. But we must remember that we can trust in God and we must believe that God is interested in our journey of life!!

I ENCOURAGE EACH OF US TO KEEP PRAYING!!!!

Walking after the Heart of God,

Pastor Mike