Pastor Mike Bitter Speaks

When do you know it’s time to move on from your current position, when to make a change in life and move from your current life to what awaits you? That’s a question I find that many push against as they look closer at their own life. Its a push because that’s what it feels like, pushing. Pushing because something isn’t moving or something is pushing against you.

There comes a time when you have to yield, or do you? When looking at yourself you have to wonder “is it time?” I’ve found when people step forward and start judging your last movement and the vision you have for your next movement, you need to look closer and take serious consideration to your circumstances.

This is what I have been looking at for quite some time; when is enough, enough? How do you decide it’s time to go? What are you thoughts about when enough is enough and it’s time to go?

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Guest Pastor Lucy Liekhus has a great explanation about devotion.

I can tell God is on the move.  Especially with the case of the briefcase.  As usual, about midweek God gave me the topic. It fits with my reaction to the recent situation.  Sunday’s topic was “The Art of Forgiveness.”  We have to be careful not to confuse the act of forgiveness with the art of forgiveness.  I discuss the difference in my video.  The basis for my thoughts is below, in written and in video form.

Click Here to read

The Art of Forgiveness.pdf

Click Here to watch

The Art of Forgiveness (video)

So what do we do when Jesus calls?  I guess we have to decide why Jesus is calling also.  Maybe we’ve strayed or He thinks we need a boost of Power or Faith.  I don’t think He just knocks to be saying hello.  He always has a message for us, but no matter what we do (like Saul) He never leaves us.  He goes after the unbelievers; even the worst of the worst (Saul), But look what happens.  Saul nor Paul wrote over 2/3 of the New Testament. 

When Jesus Calls.pdf

We met the person who took my briefcase. He thinks the church was his house and therefore that was his briefcase. Scary thought. Isn’t this his house too? Isn’t the Lord’s house all of us? He may just have a bit more or even better faith than I do. So what do we do from here?

We met with Shawn and shared God’s love. We let him know we love him and remind him God loves him too. Shawn needs a bible, so we’re going to get one for him. That will give us another opportunity to meet with Shawn. I think that is the plan, but it’s up to God.

The Martinwood mission is to: Love God-Build Relationships-Change Lives. It is sometimes easier said than done, but then again, it can also take some burdens off your list. You are there for a defined reason, you already Love God and that shines through to others so you are clear about where you’re coming from. Loving God is a great start to a wonderful relationship. The relationship gives us the opportunity to change lives. GB

Even then they did not realize who he was. Isn’t that kind of like what we do? We think Jesus is not with us? We think he’s gone somewhere, but he’s really closer than we think or realize. I believe there are times He reveals himself to us, but our filters keep us from seeing Him and his glory. Even if you don’t see him, He’s there. Even if you wish he weren’t or you think he’s left you, He’s there.

The Road to Emmaus.pdf

God is good and the following is incredible, so I felt I needed to share my thoughts with you. Times are a-trying and we need to stand on our principles. Sometimes that’s tough. Let me know what you think of the following:

THE PASTOR’S BRIEFCASE HAS BEEN RETURNED, and ALL THE CONTENTS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED!! God is good ALL the time! We want to thank John and Jan McCallan (who returned my briefcase) and EVERYONE who tirelessly went out of their way to look for my briefcase. The list is endless. These are times when you can feel the love we share between us.

It is a trying time for a ministry when faced with something like this; we want to get angry, cry, point fingers, etc. But that is not what God wants us to do. I started down a path and realized there is more light on the other path. Fast forward…we met with the person who took my briefcase, we talked about God and we know in our hearts, they know who God is and that gives us room for a good start. God is good and He brought this person into our midst for a reason, a season or just to hear about God. This is a win for the home team! Love God, Build Relationships, Change Lives. That’s our mission statement, but it’s not always easy to live it. Once again, from the bottom of my heart…thank you. GB.

Have you ever felt afraid or knew things weren’t going to go right? Jesus did, yet he knew and was comfortable with his destiny. Are you comfortable with your destiny? Have you made your peace with God? For Jesus, it was pretty obvious six days before Passover when Mary poured pure nard, an expensive perfume, on Jesus’ feet at Bethany. Jesus knew this was preparation for his burial, yet he went forward, right into Jerusalem, without fear, knowing what awaited him.

Jerusalem, Jesus last Stand.pdf

You’re probably wondering what the heck I’m talking about and where I’m headed with this, but as Christians, we too should be standing in the gap for others.  It’s not humiliating to do that and all it takes is a few minutes of our time to “fill in the gap,” to be there for someone else and to protect them.  You don’t have to know them, to stand in the gap for them.

Standing in the Gap.pdf

The poet Philip James Bailey first released his magnum opus “Festus” in 1839. Later Bailey started to expand his poem. In 1853 a version was published in the United States that included the following passage.

“We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most—feels the noblest—acts the best.“