STAYING CLOSE, JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN – IT TAKES PRACTICE……..

Aloha my brothers! If I may, I feel in my heart to give you some thoughts, on a very deep and sensitive area of all men’s lives. Some may think it’s there secret sin, some may say it’s there commitment to their church, some may say it’s their Ministries, some may simply say it’s my brothers. I hope at this time as you ponder your inner thoughts, you would agree with me and say, it’s our wives. Why our wives you may ask? Simple. We can find so many things as men to take up our time, our spare time, and any other time that we find we may need. As I consider this very serious but emotional topic, I think back to the time I met my wife. We were two young kids trying to impress each other, but with all we did, there was nowhere else we would rather be, than with each other. I know what you are saying……”That’s what you do when you are young and in love”. There, is the beginning of the lie the enemy begins to place in your head and eventually your heart. See God, has given us the most precious gift besides our salvation, it’s our mates. Think back, to when you first laid eyes on your wife or girlfriend. I would bet anything, your answer would be WOW!! If asked that question today, even after all the years together, the children, work, and anything else you allow to come in to your life, can you still say WOW! Jesus state’s it simple in Ephesians 5:25…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her. Just as Jesus Christ completely gave himself up to provide salvation for the church, a husband is also to completely give himself up for his wife’s good. When that happens, the husband will earn the respect of his wife. Losing that feeling you once had..The WOW!, becomes so hurtful to God, because he was the one who first placed that feeling inside of you. To just ignore it, is the same as ignoring our Heavenly father. I would like to share some key points on how to get the WOW back into your relationship, and the passion back into your heart towards your spouse. I know for myself, I need to keep my wife’s tank filled with these four areas.

1. Security – Which produces feeling safe with you.
2. Conversational Companionship – Talking, Listening, make her feel as important.
3. Significance – Her values, She’s appreciated, Honored.
4. Affection – Hugs, Hold Hands, Cuddle, Touching when together. These next two are key – You can never say “ I Love You” enough, and Pray over her.

RAW POWER NEVER MAKES A MAN – “A MAN”

I understand these areas may be hard or difficult for some, but the blessing for us all, is, each other. Brothers, need to be transparent with each other, because not a one can do this alone. Prayer will help us all get, where we need to go.

See, the forces that push couples apart is simple. Everyday Conflict. The real question is, how do I deal with the conflict. The circle begins with the problem (conflict), it then grows into hurt feelings, to anger, with one of you, or both fleeing, withdrawing, becoming silent, and then go into isolation. OR we can take the route Jesus would have us to do. When the conflict begins, choose to face the conflict, but not to fight, accuse, demand, put down, or simply to win. But to have dialogue, understanding, forgiveness, compromise, which leads us as couples to continue to grow closer together and to God. Jesus has picked out the perfect mate for us. I know for myself, I would not want to live life with any other person in my life other than my wife. Again, this may open areas in some of you. Be encouraged that today you can begin that WOW affect in your relationship or marriage. Life will continue to pass us all by. Times will change. Faces will come and go. But for us as blessed men of God, the one gift God has given us, remains in the hearts of you men, to see that she can look in the mirror and speak to her heavenly father, and say the words, “Thank you Lord, I am a blessed wife, for you gave me the perfect mate”. Twenty two years have passed since I first laid eyes on my mate, and everyday that passes there isn’t enough W’s for the word WOW!!! These four areas we looked at earlier, can and will help us all to achieve a closer bond with our spouses.

SECURITY:

1. Have you told her lately “I Love You”?

2. Are you being honest with her?

3. Did you tell her the truth?

4. Are you making her financially secure?

CONVERSATION:

1. Did you ask her what she is thinking and feeling today?

2. Have you had a date lately..Alone..just to talk and unwind together?

3. When is your next out-of-town getaway to play, plan and problem-solve?

SIGNIFICANCE:

1. Did you offer her any words of praise today?

2. Have you told her how important she is to you?

3. Did you ask for her opinion on a purchase, decision, or new direction you are contemplating?

AFFECTION:

1. Did you hug and kiss her today?

2. How about a call out of the blue to say, “I’m thinking of you”.

3. How about a big surprise to honor her this year? A big gift?

I remember back in 1996, I heard two things that are so true, that they are imbedded into my heart.

1. Piece of mind, never comes to any home, when someone is always handing out a piece of his mind!

2. Jesus never said it would be easy….He said it would be worth it!!!

Men, take control of the most important ministry you will ever belong to, your wife's and your family!

May God Bless you, protect your time, and give you the inner peace and love only He can give, as you continue to share life and companionship with your precious gift God has given you – your spouse.

Blessings over you all!

Kevin Mahoney

Founder NEHIM

1994

Why is Friday Good?

We live in a curious time. I would venture that most people through the mall couldn’t tell you what Good Friday represents? Christians so of course, know that today is the remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death on a Roman cross. But why do we call it good? Jesus died on this day, shouldn’t that be a sad occasion? As a kid, and even as a young/immature Christian, the name Good Friday perplexed me. Why is the day good? The answer is clearly stated in the Gospels. When Jesus gives up his spirit and dies on the cross all kinds of crazy (from the world’s perspective) things happen. Matthew 27, Mark 15 and John 19 tell us that the moment Jesus dies, the believers who had already died are raised to life and walk into the city, there is a great earthquake, the Centurion affirms that Jesus was the Son of God. However the most important event, the event that confirms it is Good Friday and not Sad Friday immediate follows the verse where Jesus breathes His last. The curtain in the temple is torn in two.

Why is the curtain so important? In Jewish tradition the curtain in the temple separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. According to tradition the Holy of Holies was God’s very seat in the temple were only those who were without sin could enter. The high priest would enter only once a year, with a rope and bell tied to him so his body could be pull from the holy place if God struck him down for his iniquity. The remainder of the temple, outside the curtain was for the believers, the church, you and I. The curtain was the barrier between the holy God and his sinful people. The curtain represented sin. Jesus, though sinless, died for all sins, removing the barrier between the perfectly holy God and a sinful nation. Jesus’ atonement removed the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the people. His death removed the need for the high priest to enter into the Holy of Holies on behalf of the church. Jesus is our high priest. Jesus removed the curtain. Jesus removed the barrier. Jesus gave us a direct relationship with God the Father. The curtain was torn and the relationship restored the moment Christ died. That Friday nearly two thousand years ago was a Good day!

MCzar

Acts 13 Study

This is taken from our study on the book of acts during our Chainbreakers bible study
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

We begin this chapter with a shift in characters
From this point forward we will see Saul (PAUL) as the main man

We enter the scene with the church in the midst of a prayer meeting
1. They are seeking Gods direction
2. They are praying and fasting together as a group (seeking unity?)
3. While they were worshipping the Lord and making decisions
a. How do you make decisions for your life?
b. Do you spend enough time worshipping to know when God is speaking?
c. If you have made poor decisions in the past, why not develop a new method of worship and let the Holy spirit speak to you!

Verse 2

“SET APART FOR ME BARNABUS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM”
1. YOU HAVE A WORK THAT ONLY YOU CAN DO
2. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU, AND YOU NEED TO SEEK AFTER HIS PLAN (JERIMIAH 29:11, 1 Peter 2:9, CALLING OF THE DISCIPLE)
3. EACH WORK IS DIFFERENT


VERSE 3
WHEN THEY HAD DECIDED TO SEND THEM OUT THEY CONTINUED TO FAST AND PRAY, AND THAT INCLUDED STAYING DEVOTED TO THE DISCIPLES TEACHING(ACTS 2:42)

1. WE NEED TO CONTINUE IN AN ATTIDUDE THAT MAINTAINS OUR PRAYER LIFE AND STUDY LIFE
2. THE BIBLE SAYS TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING EPH 6:18
A. IS THAT AN OPTION
B. HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN LIVE IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
1. WE CAN STAY IN THE WORD
2. WE CAN STAY IN CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AND BE ACCOUNTABLE
3. WE CAN KEEP SPEAKING TO JESUS IF WE STAY FOCUSED ON WHERE WE ARE GOING INSTEAD OF WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
4. WE CAN CUT DOWN ON SIN, SIN BLOCKS PRAYER, THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SIN IN OUR LIVES, IS AN EVER DECREASING LEVEL!


Verses 4-12
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

THERE IS A BATTLE IN THIS BOOK OF ACTS THAT CONTINUES TO MANIFEST IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD, BUT IT IS TRULY A SPIRITUAL BATTLE

BUT NOTHING THE DEVIL DOES PREVENTS THE KINGDOM FROM GOING FORTH

MATT16: 18"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

The mission of Paul and Barnabus succeeded in spite of the opposition, so will you!
1. You need to have faith (Eph 6:14-20)
2. You need to pray through the whole battle
3. You need to be determined that you will fulfill the mission filled with the Holy Spirit! ( Have you been filled, are you seeking; 1 Corth 14:1)

REMEMBER YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS TODAY

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS FOREVER, AND WE LEARN EVERYDAY SOMETHING NEW.

CONTINUE TO READ HIS WORD, AND LET JESUS REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU

HE HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU, JUST LET IT HAPPEN, GOD LOVES YOU!
JERIMIAH 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Paul

Bittersweet

Good Day Chain-Breakers,
It is a bittersweet time for our church. As you know by now our beloved Pastor has been called to another place. It is very important to remember Pastor is not leaving under any strife but because the God of Heaven has called him. Who are we to stand in the way of what God has planned? Do not listen to the lies of the Devil, especially now.

Though I’m excited for Pastor and his family, eagerly waiting to see what God has provided for the Miller’s and for Heritage, like many of you I am in mourning. I am not mourning the loss of a Pastor but the loss of a brother in Christ. Pastor is only a title. Guy is a beloved brother. Tana is a compassionate and strong sister. I love the Miller’s for the leadership they provided, for the tenderness and support they have shown my family, for the transparency and humility they have displayed to the church, for the unadulterated love that Guy and Tana show for each other, for the steady view of what a marriage centered on and built around Christ ought to be, for children who grew up with God, fear God and genuinely love their fellowman. We have all been richly blessed by the Miller’s tenure at HCC and they will be sorely missed by all the pieces of our hearts.

It is a new day. God still sits on the throne. God is still sovereign. God still has a plan for you, me and Heritage. While we mourn, God comforts and provides.

God bless and God's speed.
MC