Go in the strength you have....

I thought I would share what someone who attends our church wrote...

Pastor Chris, in his Warrior message yesterday, taught about Gideon. He was the least member of his family from the least tribe in Israel. His country was sieged by a nation much stronger and crueler than they were because they had not obeyed God and worshiped other idols.

When we meet Gideon (Judges 6), he is threshing wheat in a wine press. Wheat was typically threshed on top of a hill so the wind could catch the chaff and blow it away. What fell to the ground was usable wheat. Wine was pressed in valleys where gravity made the work much easier. Gideon was afraid he would get caught by the invading nation and that his wheat would get stolen, so out of that fear, he was doing the wrong thing in the wrong place and probably at the wrong time!

But God shows up and speaks to this man who is afraid and sees himself as the least in all Israel and calls Gideon a mighty warrior. God then tells Gideon to "Go in this your might" (KJV) and he would save Israel from the hand of the Midianites who were persecuting them. The NIV says "Go in the strength that you have". This is where Pastor Chris talked about the fact that there are things that we are already strong enough to do and we have to trust that if God is directing us to do something, He's already equipped us to do it. We don't need to be afraid of failure in some things because we have the strength already in us to face the battle.

I pulled out my Hebrew word study bible (thank God for a husband who loves books!!) and the word for "Go" in hebrew notes movement - to walk, continually; to lead or to travel. The word for "might" can be translated - to be firm; capacity or means; ability; fruits or substance. So, we can lead or continually walk with firmness. We can use our means and capacities, our abilities or the fruit that we bear in life to walk out our faith with purpose.

This made me think of the boy in John 6 who gave his lunch to Jesus. Jesus in turn fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. If I give to Jesus my abilities and walk in faith, trusting that He can multiply what I have, then I have the capacity to not only accomplish His will in my life, but I also have the potential to lead others along the way.

There are so many hard decisions we have to make in life, and often it is easier to let things "happen" to us than it is to actually meet circumstances face to face. But like Pastor Chris said, if we sit back and wait for changes and battles to come to us, we are guaranteed failure every time, not to mention how much ground the enemy gains when we just wait for him to attack us.

If we could take the gifts and talents and experiences that we have and offer them to Jesus; if we would be willing to move forward, in faith, and face the changes and challenges that come to us, we would find that we are much stronger than we think we are and would have a much greater chance of success! And who knows how many people we would invite into God's kingdom by leading the way, using our abilities and experiences to show others how God is able to turn the least of us into mighty warriors for His glory and our salvation.

Dawn Steele

My Perfect Day

A couple of weeks ago I had what I am calling a perfect day.

First it was our church's 11 B-day and we celebrated big-time! We had a large energetic crowd that brought the largest offering in our church's history. People responded to the invitation to receive Christ. The Band nailed one of my old favorites by Reo Speedwagon. I could not believe how much fun church was that day. I went to eat a great lunch with my family. Then OU one a basketball game on TV. I decided after the game to go to see a movie. On the way I called a great friend Ted who lives in Phoenix to celebrate my 11 year victory day by phone. I shared with him our great day and I told him it was to bad he was so far away else we would go out to party big time that night. He congratulated me and wished he could be here too. I went into the theater to see "Slumdog Millionaire" it was incredible-A must see! The movie was almost over when I received a text, "I land at 6:30 don't make me get a taxi...AND DINNER'S ON YOU!" I could not believe Ted had done it. He drove straight to the airport a got on a plane. We talked and laughed over dinner until the restaurant made us leave. After I took Ted back to the airport I thought, "That was a perfect day". Life is fun when you give permission to celebrate it. I'll never forget that day.

Has Satan outsmarted you?

When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too...so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Cor. 2:10-11 (NLT)

Relationships are a main area of attack. A few years back a man I trusted turned against me. Soon after he turned others against me. Satan had sown lies and misunderstanding. The devil's plan was to hurt the church and hurt the church he did. We have dear loved ones who walk with us no more. I felt many emotions. Frustration and anger began to settle in.

Then I began to see the "unseen war" more clearly. I took our staff away for a few days and we prayed about the matter.

• We used our spiritual weapons and began to thwart Satan's scheme.
• We asked God to give us a forgiving heart and remove any resentment or bitterness that had begun to take root in our spirit.
• We began to bless those who were cursing us.
• Not long after that we called a fast in the church.

It was a glorious three days that in my opinion broke us free from an enemy attack.

Satan wanted to make our fun-loving church into a place of division. He wanted us to become closed and gaurded. He sought to bring depression to our place of joy. But we did not let him outsmart us. Don't let him do it to you. Remember you can always drop the "F" bomb! FORGIVE!

Warrior message 1 outline

WARRIOR MESSAGE 1 “TAKE THE RED PILL”
Open message w/Matrix clip

“Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not” –Aragorn

THERE IS AN UNSEEN WAR ALL AROUND US WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) 10 A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

THERE IS AN UNSEEN BATTLEFIELD-YOUR HEART

Cause of Christ: THE ULTIMATE BATTLE FOR HEARTS AND SOULS OF MEN

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
“The story of your life is the story of a long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it” Eldridge “Until you understand this much of your life will not make sense.”

Fights w’family, gossip, impulse purchases, conflicts at work, depression, hatred, anxiety can all be understand in the context of warfare.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
THERE IS AN UNSEEN WARRIOR

Exodus 15:3 (NIV) 3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Jeremiah 20:11 (NIV) 11 But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. Lord of hosts or almighty –Navy seal

Isaiah 42:13 (NRSV) 13 The LORD goes forth like a soldier, like a warrior he stirs up his fury; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns…He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter…"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:11-13, 15-16

YOU CAN BECOME A MIGHTY WARRIOR! YOU MUST CHOOSE

Image of god….

Judges 6:12 (NCV) 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!"

James 4:7 (NIV) 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Will you join the resistance?

Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

THE RED PILL OR THE BLUE PILL...WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Take the red pill

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

The Lord is a Warrior

Exodus 15:3
The Lord is a warrior!
The Lord is his name.

4 He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea.
Pharaoh's best officers were drowned in the Red Sea.

5 The deep water covered them.
They sank to the bottom like a rock.
6 Your right hand, O Lord, wins glory because it is strong.
Your right hand, O Lord, smashes your enemies.

7 With your unlimited majesty, you destroyed those who attacked you.
You sent out your burning anger.
It burned them up like straw.
8 With a blast from your nostrils, the water piled up.
The waves stood up like a dam.
The deep water thickened in the middle of the sea.

9 “The enemy said, ‘I'll pursue them!
I'll catch up with them!
I'll divide the loot!
I'll take all I want!
I'll use my sword!
I'll take all they have!'
10 Your breath blew the sea over them.
They sank like lead in the raging water.
11 “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord?

Who is like you?

open war is upon you...

"Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not" Aragorn, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

We too must confront the reality that open war is upon us whether we believe it or not-whether we realize it or not.

Revelation 12:17 (NCV)
"Then the dragon was very angry...and he went off to make war against all her other children--those who obey God's commands and who have the message Jesus taught."

Think about the things that have happened to you. Are some of those things just a coincidence? Are you kidding? Do you live in the awareness of the unseen world at war around you? Do you believe that your heart is a target? Your loved ones? Your coworkers?

Are you a warrior engaged in the "ultimate battle for the hearts and souls of men? Do you know what your weapons are? Do you know how to use them?

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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..." Eph. 6:10-14

Join me at NCC and here on my blog over the few weeks as we encourage soldiers to engage the enemy and fight.

Neh. 4:14 Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Warrior Series Begins this Weekend

Warrior

In everyone’s life, there is a cause worth fighting for and a victory worth claiming. What is yours? Both men & women must fight in this war. Discover how to prepare for the battles ahead and emerge a victor. Join us for “Warrior”.

oldie but a goodie video of NCC

Lies-staff member comment

Michelle Wilson serves on our staff as financial administrator she writes concerning our final Hostage message:

The enemy lies a great deal. He has tried to lie to me my entire life as I'm sure he does to everyone. I know it's important to combat those lies with God's truth in His Word. But sometimes when the lie is staring you in the face it's difficult to recall those truths at a moment's notice when you need them the most. So I began keeping a journal of the lies the enemy tells me and at the moment he tells me that lie. I will write it down and right next to the lie, I will put God's truth and reference scriptures. This way, when the lie comes back I can refer to my journal and instantly know where I can go to find the truth. Meditate on that truth. Memorize the truth. And give the lie to God. It's been helping this week. The enemy is not very creative, i've found. He keeps coming up with the same lies. But God never changes, and His Word stays the same and His promises are forever. I can rely on the truth of His Word. I can count on it more than anything else in life. And with prayer and meditation, God will free us from those lies.

--
In His Arms,
Michelle W

11 years in Vegas http://newcommchurch.blogspot.com/

It is hard to believe that just over 11 years ago Michelle and I packed up everything & left Oklahoma to follow a dream. So much has changed since that day. I remember arriving and unloading our van with our friends Bill & Mary who made the trip out with us (They would later move here to join us in the mission for a few years). We knew hardly anyone in Las Vegas. I thought, " What if we can't reach people"? Or "What if I fail?" We worked so hard. We really did not know exactly what to do. But we did know one very important thing: God led us to come here and plant this church. So we poured our hearts into the work and valued every relationship that he gave us. Now there is a vibrant and dynamic church that has touched the lives of so many. We have made so many great friends. This weekend will be fun to take a trip down memory lane and cast vision for our future. I hope you can come and celebrate with us.

Outline from final Hostage Message

LIES THAT BIND

John 8:44 (NLT)
44 … the Devil, …has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does .The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Stronghold: ochuroma (okh-oo'-ro-mah); to fortify, a strong castle, a prisoner locked by deception.

WHAT LIES HOLD YOU HOSTAGE?

I CAN’T CHANGE

…we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

masterpiece: poiema (poy'-ay-mah); a product with a designated purpose, workmanship, masterpiece.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17-18

THE STRATEGY FOR CHANGE

1.) RENEW YOUR MIND.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Identify False Beliefs-Replace with God’s Truth
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

…whatever is true…noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

2.) SPEAK ONLY TRUTH.
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:20-21

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NLT

3.) NEVER GIVE UP.
To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:29-2:1

Michael Anglelo “The Agony & the extassy”

agonizomai (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee); to struggle, to compete for a prize, to contend with an adversary, and win.

…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14