New Website….

Hey guys wanted to let you all know about a new website that I am working on.  Please click on the link   exitconference.org

Our group at Exit 2008

Hold On…..

I know it’s been a while….. but here goes.

Romans 8:38-40 (New Living Translation)

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am SOO glad that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!!! Not death, or demons, or worries or fears or the coolest part, “not even all the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”  God’s love is more powerful than all Satan has to throw at us.

The last 10 days have been some of the hardest days in my life!! I had to bury one of my students, 18 years old. Also, my favorite uncle in the world died.  I will miss Uncle Danny so much!!!  but i have come to realize that God’s grace is sufficient in all my weakness and sorrows and hurt.  He is bigger than all that we can or will go through!!! I am thankful that we have a God of grace!!!

There is a Daniel Doss song called “Hold On”. God has really used this song in the last few months in my life. The chorus goes like this, “Hold On, it will not be long till its all over, Hold on lay your weary head upon my shoulder”.  That is what God wants us to do sometimes. Here’s a video of the song.

So whatever your going through, let God hold you in his infinite arms.  With His infinite grace.

Finally Roadsign #7 for finding God’s Will

The #7 Roadsign for finding God’s will is to ask yourself this question? “WHAT GIVES GOD THE MOST GLORY?”

What can i do in my life to bring God the most Glory? I don’t want to draw attention to me and what I am doing, its not my what makes me happy or look good, but how can the gospel be displayed in my life and make others look at what Christ did and is doing?  It is so hard sometimes to think about the Glory of God before our glory.  Our lives as Christians should be all about Jesus. He deserves the best of all that we have to give!! Jesus deserves the best of our talents and our dearest possessions. Who really owns that cars i have, or that house, that music, that wardrobe, those books, guitars, etc? Jesus’ Name should be all over everything. He should have prior claim to how it all gets used since He paid for your life with His life on a cross!Everything we do should give God some glory somehow.  I am so guilty of hoarding up glory for myself at times.

In a few days I am going to Nicaragua, and I am going to be able to let God be glorified on my life.  My prayer is that many people would come to know Him and that His Name be glorified in all that we do.

Are you giving Him Glory??

God Bless!!!!

Roadsigns to Finding God’s Will– Sign 6

The Fifth Roadsign is using Common Sense.

I believe that God has given us minds that are capable of making rationial decisions.  By using all the other Road-signs that God has provided for us it takes common sense to know what’s right, and do it.  Sometimes we are so stubborn that we still choose to make deals with God and continue to look for “Signs” or conformation of God’s will.  I know that sometimes I can see HUGE green signs ovet the interstate and still question whether they are right or not;  as if, whoever put up the sign made a mistake and I’m the only genious that was intelligent to catch it. Yeah Right!!!! Why do we still question God when we know His will, because we are human.

I know this may sound confusing, but even though our common sense along with the other roadsigns points us to God’s will sometimes His will for us does not make sense.  Think about God wanting Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, think about Noah building an ark when none of those people had ever seen rain or a boat.

So sometimes we have to just say OK God, I know that this is what You want me to do, this is what the Road-Signs are pointing to.  It may not make sense, but that is where FAITH comes from.

These are some verses from the Message Version:

Proverbs 2:6
And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

Proverbs 3:21
[ Never Walk Away ] Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.

Proverbs 13:16
A common sense person lives good sense; fools litter the country with silliness.

(NIV)Proverbs 119:

65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment (Common Sense),
for I believe in your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.

Just use the signs that God Has given you and use your “noggin” common sense.   DUH!!!!!

Micah

Roadsigns to Finding God’s Will– Sign 5

SIGN #5:  PERSONAL DESIRES

Psalm 37:4 (Amplified Version) Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” I like to look at this verse in sort of a backwards way.  If we delight ourselves if the Lord, if we are seeking Him with all our hearts then our desires will begin to become what He wants for us, His will.  Meaning, that He could change the desires of our heart to become His desires and His will.  For example, Since God called me to Ministry when I was 17 I have always thought that my calling was in music, to lead worship and travel the world, that’s why I got a music degree.  In the last few years I feel like my passion to travel and lead worship has somewhat diminished because that is not what God has me doing right now, I feel as if my desires have changed (that does not mean that I will never sing and travel, just not now).  Go back to road-sign 4 we find God’s will through our service to Him, and all the roadsigns preceding.

I remember my Mom telling me this verse through the years, Phil 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. I like the New Living Translation, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Therefore, He will work in you to give you the desire to know and do His will.

So as you Pray through your circumstances, Read God’s Word, listen to the Holy spirit and seek wise councel just pay attention to your heart and its desires, and you will be on the road to finding God’s will.

God Bless!!! Micah

One of My Personal Desires....LOL

Roadsigns to Finding God’s Will– Sign 4

SIGN #4:  MATURE COUNSEL

I know that God puts people in our lives that He uses to insert small bits of wisdom into our beings.  This wisdom will help us discern God’s perfect will.  We may not even know it along the way, but our Father gives us great advise through mature counsel.  Here are some verses of scripture that prove this point, they are from the Amplified Bible, i like it because sometimes it explains the text a little better.  Ps. 1:1-6 (Amplified Bible) “1^[a]BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.^(A)

3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].^(B)

4Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor ^[b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].

6For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).”

This verses point out the significance of choosing wise counsel.  It is SOOO important that we listen to godly advice.  Prov. 13:10  The (Message Bible) “Arrogant know-it-al’s stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.” We must listen to each others counsel.

God has placed people on the streets of our lives in order to be our roadsigns for Godly counsel.  Wisdom is found in those who take advice.

God Bless, Micah

Roadsigns For Finding God’s Will— Sign 3

SIGN #3:  SERVICE/THE HOLY SPIRIT

A few Years ago close to my College Graduation and was really seeking after what God wanted me to do.  I asked Marty Lively, a man that I would consider one of my mentors, this great question “How do you know what God wants you to do as far as ministry goes?” He gave me this simple yet profound answer, ” You will find God’s will through your service to Him.” As we serve God he molds us to be the servants that he wants us to be and with the help of the Holy Spirit the desires of our heart will be what God’s will is, if we are seeking Him.

That brings me to my next point.  God has given us His Spirit to be our helper, our guide.  One of the roles of the Spirit in our lives is to help lead us to the Truth.  True peace comes from living right, being in the center of God’s will.  One of the biggest things that can help us discern God’s will is that still small voice that Jesus left for us.  It is different than our conscience.  We, Christians, have inside of us a part of God Himself, the third part of the trinity the Holy Spirit.  It will be our guide in discerning God’s perfect will.

m

Roadsigns For Finding God’s Will— Sign 2

SIGN #2:  CIRCUMSTANCES
There have been so many times in my life were God has allowed me to go through certain circumstances in my life that prepare me, and lead me for His will, and His work.  God never looks at us and says, “Oops, how did he/she get into those circumstances?  I didn’t see that coming”.  No, He plans and uses our past, present, and future circumstances to guide us in the direction that we need to go.  I love this part… God uses Open and Closed doors as a way to reveal His Perfect will to us.  For example, if you apply for Job, after Job and they turn you down, you may conclude that God is closing those doors and opening others.  God often leads by opening doors you never expected.  My Mother has went through this in the near past.  Paul stayed in Ephesus because of an open door “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me (I Cor. 16:8,9).” Paul regularly prayed that God would open other doors for him Col. 4:3—”And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison.” It seems like there are always doors opening in our lives, but it is hard to discern which one to go through. I like to pray that God will close an open door if it is not His will.  For me it is easier to see a door close than it is to see an open one.  When there is an obvious open door that is when we use God’s other roadsigns to help us determine His will.

I said all that to say this, Let God use your circumstances to help show you His will. Use the common sence that God has given you and roadsign 1- God’s Word.

Micah

Roadsigns For Finding God’s Will— Sign 1

The first Road Sign for finding God’s Will is

SIGN #1:  THE BIBLE—GOD’S WORD
I believe that God’s word is the greatest tool that we can use for discerning His will.  The Bible doesn’t specifically reveal God’s individual will for us,(it does not say “Micah do this”) but it always has the answers for which way to go.  It is always in the middle pointing us whether to the left or the right.  This is so key.  The specific way that God wants us to go is always in the direction that the Bible points to: “Keep right.”  For example,  when the Bible talks about choosing a mate—God declares all unbelievers are to the left—prohibited.   “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” 2 Cor 6:14.  The correct mate is always found among believers—so stay right.  Further signs will need to be followed to find the specific person, but the Bible’s road sign is essential. If you miss this road sign, you will not even remain on the right road to see the other signs.    It is imperative that you study the original intent of the author in each book.  It is good to know who He was writing to;  for example, 1 John was a letter written to help the people deal with their doubts concerning their salvation. Whatever situation you are going through, whatever decision it is that you need to make you MUST seek God’s word in your life.  We must look for the signs of Scripture along the way.

God Bless, Micah

Some Good References–  Psalm 119:97-112; Psalm 19:7-11.

ROADSIGNS TO FINDING GOD’S WILL

Road Signs for finding God’s will

Question to ask yourself today…. Does God give us a road map with one road for life?  No.  Before you jump the gun, let me clear myself up.  There is only ONE way to get to heaven, that is through Jesus Christ God’s Son, but God gives us different ways to find His will for our lives. His guidance is more like several road signs that show us our journey along the way.  I am one that studies road signs, because God did not give me any since of direction (thanks Mom, got that from you)!  The actual signs that we see along the road are for different reasons, some are to warn or guide us far in advance; such as “I-65 Exit – 6 miles”.  A small street sign on a pole at the corner may guide us right before we must turn onto a street (I’ve missed many of these and had to STOP or turn around), such as “Riverview Dr.”.  God gives us plenty road signs pointing to His will for us.   I love to use a GPS, even though I don’t own one, they are SOOO helpful.  God is our GPS to finding His will.  He will use these tools to tell us when we need to make a left turn, a right turn, or possiably a U-turn.  What I plan on blogging about for the next week or so, are the signs that He graciously provides to ensure that we arrive safely when it comes to His will for our lives.

ROAD SIGNS TO HELP US MAKE WISE DECISIONS & FIND GOD’S WILL

Here are 7 things, if you can think of more let me know.  I just thought that 7 is the number of completion and perfection in the Bible, so it will work.

SIGN #1:  THE BIBLE—GOD’S WORD
SIGN #2:  CIRCUMSTANCES
SIGN #3:  SERVICE/THE HOLY SPIRIT
SIGN #4:  MATURE COUNSEL
SIGN #5:  PERSONAL DESIRES
SIGN #6:  COMMON SENSE (DUH)
SIGN #7:  ????? To be Announced

Do They Matter???

POINT:  LOST PEOPLE SHOULD MATTER TO US, BECAUSE THEY MATTER TO GOD.
Luke 15:31,32–‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Do you think that God gets excited when someone comes to know Him?   OF COURSE!!  As a Christian can you say that the lost really have a special place in your heart?  If lost people are not important to us then we don’t get it. Jesus Himself said, “I’ve come to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10), and “as the Father has sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21). The Almighty Father in Heaven has sent us to be a light to this dark world.  We are a search and rescue team, not a religious social club. We are God’s army, with regional and tactical assignments handed down from the real Commander-in-Chief, not just some crooked elected official. At just about every big concert that we go to we see some missions organization trying to raise money for a ministry overseas.  Just as people rally together to save children who are starving or naked, we must have the same kind of urgency about those who are spiritually lost. Rather than enjoy the warmth around the fire in complacent comfort USA, we must run into the cold dark night to search for them and rescue them.

What are you doing to help rescue the lost? When was the last time that you shared your faith? Pray for opportunities to share your story with someone.

God Bless!!!

Micah

Hey, I AM ALIVE…..

Hey mom and Jaime… and anyone else that might read my blog. I am so sorry that I have been slacking in my blogging responsibilities lately.  Used to I would blog as a release when i could not sleep.  Now I have started hunting and have tried to go to sleep at night, even though I have not succeeded at times.  I have a thousand excuses why ive been slacking, but I’m just a slacker….. end of discussion!!!!

We had an amazing event last night called “The Great Pumpkin Chase”.  It is the ultimate scavenger hunt each year where the students goal is to find the hidden live pumpkin.  After the groups find 8 clues they must abduct the pumpkin and take him back to the church.  We had a Large Time….  God Sent over 140 students.  We pigged out after the hunt was over, and I shared for about 1minute, really i promise about a few spiritual parallels that I got out of the whole thing, and we showed a video of the rapture. I believe that God planted some seeds in a few hearts, just pray that they will grow.

Love You Guys!!!   m

The Great Pumpkin

Connect rally

We had an area-wide rally tonight called “Connect”.  It was done by a group named Real Encounters.  They were absolutely awesome!!!!  We did 9 school assemblies for about 12 different schools in our county.  Were praying for about 4000 people and God sent around 5000.  Yes 5 thousand people in a town with the population of around 15,000 people.   It was truely amazing!!!  We were praying for about 400 people to make first time professions of faith and once again God blessed us with more than we were praying for,  we had well over 400 professions of faith.  God is AWESOME!!!  This event is planned each year by the SLN (Student Leadership Network).  The SLN is made up of several youth ministers in our area.  It was a wonderful night of high energy entertainment and music.  We can not take any credit, God deserves all the credit for sending the fruit to be harvested.  I already can’t wait for next year.

To God Be The Glory!!!

micah

My New Guitar…..

Since I cracked my martin i had to put it at the Guitar doctor.  Dan Knowles guitars in Paris Tn is fixing it for me. I have been looking at Rainsong guitars for about 6 years and wanting to get one since i first saw one. It sounds GREAT!!!! Check them out on rainsong.com So here is a picture.  I love it, thank you Lord!!!!

Cracked Guitar….

Sorry its been a while since i’ve blogged.  Things have been crazy around here!!!  We had a great night of worship tonight, other than my guitar cracking.  Yeah i did say that my guitar cracked, in the middle of “Blessed Be Your Name”.  It’s sort of ironic because I had just got through telling our students about how Job chose to bless God even when things were the pits for him.  When it seemed like everything had gone wrong in his life that could possibably could he praised God.  So, on that note I choose to say Blessed be Your name Jesus!!!  Guitars, cars, houses, they are all just temporary.  We can’t take any of them with us.  So whether I get it fixed or just get a new one God will get the Glory.  My prayer tonight is that God would sell His house, that He let us live in, in Tallassee Alabama, so that I could get a new guitar, which to me is one of the greatest tools that I have in ministry.  He knows my needs.  I know that He will supply my needs according to His riches in Glory, and on His calender and not mine.

“You give and take away, but my heart will choose to say, Lord Blessed be Your Name!!!”

God Bless,  Micah

“You just can’t Have Anything Nice!!”