I have really enjoyed going through our M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan together.  I love how we are able to have glimpses of the whole narrative of the Bible through this plan in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.  I pray that the Lord has been revealing to you His power through His Word.  For those of you who are new to NCFC and would like a systematic plan to read the Bible in a year, please ask any of the greeters and/or pastors for a reading plan card.  It is truly awesome!
On top of this plan, I often enjoy reading blogs, articles, and other resources about the “hot” topics of Christianity.  It’s helpful for me as a pastor to see what other pastors are thinking about as well.  Recently, I stumbled across “My Utmost For His Highest”, a day to day devotional written by Oswald Chambers, a Scottish evangelist, teacher, and author.  Here is a devotional that I was very moved by:
“I have appeared to you for this purpose . . .—Acts 26:16
The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was not a passing emotional experience, but a vision that had very clear and emphatic directions for him. And Paul stated, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Our Lord said to Paul, in effect, “Your whole life is to be overpowered or subdued by Me; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but Mine.” And the Lord also says to us, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go . . .” (John 15:16).
When we are born again, if we are spiritual at all, we have visions of what Jesus wants us to be. It is important that I learn not to be “disobedient to the heavenly vision”—not to doubt that it can be attained. It is not enough to give mental assent to the fact that God has redeemed the world, nor even to know that the Holy Spirit can make all that Jesus did a reality in my life. I must have the foundation of a personal relationship with Him. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim. He was brought into a vivid, personal, overpowering relationship with Jesus Christ.Acts 26:16 is tremendously compelling “. . . to make you a minister and a witness . . . .” There would be nothing there without a personal relationship. Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).”
I am constantly reminded and in awe that we are able, by Christ crucified, to have a relationship with Almighty God.  Think on it… a relationship that involves communication, happiness, sorrow, laughter, tears, intimacy, etc.  It’s available to you and me!  What an amazing thing that Christ came down to reconcile creation to Creator, to give us hope and purpose and furthermore use us for His glory.  I find these promises in the Word of God, the Bible, that we so often take for granted.  I encourage and challenge you to read the Word and pray for faith to know that this is God’s very words spoken to and for us that we may have life and life to the full.  God bless. 

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart 
January 27, 2013

As I was growing up, I told myself that I would be the perfect husband and father for my future family. My parents set a good example for me to learn from as they tried their best to raise me with godly values. Though my parents were not perfect in every area of parenting, my siblings and I always looked up to their leadership. There are times when I’m just amazed by how they were able to raise all three of us so well because it certainly is not so easy for me. 
My wife and I have been married for over five years now. Our relationship has definitely grown more intimate than ever before. There are many good and bad memories I can think of and all in all, God has been so good to us. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to be the leader of a household these days as I was reading about Abraham, Ezra, and Nehemiah. God has revealed amazing leadership characteristics of each person that I simply looked over before. The three individuals and their leadership taught me what I need to work on as a godly father, a husband and a spiritual leader to many. As I found myself struggling to become a better leader and a loving husband for my wife, two kids came along and made it even harder for me. Since I am not a natural leader, I was often forced to make decisions and had to learn to accept my role as the leader in my household and at church as a spiritual leader. It’s been a tough and yet rewarding journey for the last five years of family life and seven years of ministry experience. I still have a long way to go but I understand and accept my role as a leader that God has called me to be. I’m grateful to God for blessing me with people, especially my wife, who continue to encourage and challenge me to become a better leader.
For the past few weeks, I have been visiting and counseling Timothy families. Each family had a unique set of issues and struggles but one common topic that we discussed was on the topic of parenting and leadership. God allowed me to comfort and encourage dads and moms for the amazing job they are doing, but I also challenged them by reminding them that they are called to be “leaders of their household.” I hope to see many parents taking on full responsibility of their calling to be leaders of their households by humbly kneeling before God for His strength and wisdom. I was so encouraged to hear that there is a prayer movement that’s starting up at our church among the leaders and parents. God is about to do some amazing things at our church and in your families! I challenge all the leaders and parents to come out to EMP on Saturdays and also join the Friday night leaders/parents prayer meetings to participate and fully experience the blessings of this prayer movement. 

From Pastor Brian’s Heart
January 27, 2013