Thanks to each of you who supported Gloria Carmichael and me to “get out of jail” yesterday! Together we raised over $1800 for The Muscular Dystrophy Association.
I believe Kim has pictures of me in handcuffs on the way to the “Mickey Mantel” Bricktown Jail! We were treated reasonably well and even had two unexpected visitors –
Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. Not sure what lengths they had to go to, to secure their “temporary release!”

Last Sunday was an exceptional day in worship for all those present! For those who missed worship, I’d encourage you to listen to the message online. I spoke about the lies of the Enemy and the ways we can counteract his lies. We identified his strategy from the very beginning (Genesis 3) that leads to bondage and ultimately to death. The process was lived out by our first parents – Adam and Eve - and continues in the lives of their offspring. Four specific steps:

1. They listened to a lie. “Did God really say?’ –sowing seeds of doubt

2. They dwelt on the lie. They took it in and turned it over in their mind.
“Does God really love me?” “Does he have my best interest at heart?”

3. They believed the lie. “God is withholding from me!”

4. They acted on the lie. “I’m in total control of my life.”

How do we counteract the lies of the Enemy in our lives? We “reverse the curse”
and the Enemy’s strategy with the Truth of God’s Word. That’s exactly what Jesus did when tempted by the Enemy in the wilderness at the beginning of His earthly ministry. He countered Satan with the Word. “It is written…” He didn’t use his own words; He called on The Word of God. We too must do the same! The process is fairly simple:

1. Listen to the Truth. Godly sermons, Christian music, wholesome television, healthy websites, daily Bible reading and study.

2. Meditate on the Truth. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” – Joshua 1:8

3. Believe the Truth. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” -Mark 9:24

4. Act of your belief. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” –Phils. 4:13

Jesus said it so well in John 8:32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Truth is a person. Jesus is our Truth!

Hope to see you all this Sunday! I believe the Enemy tries keeps us away when the Lord
has something significant to speak into our lives. Don’t give in to his lies!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark

PS – This Sunday we will get to hear from Tony and our Youth!